City and Easts are set for a showdown with the grand final of Armidale Cricket’s one day season scheduled for this Sunday.
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Easts last lifted the trophy in 2016 before succumbing to Hillgrove in last year’s decider but, with much of the premiership-winning side back this season, captain Sam Uphill believes they can claim the title again.
“It is this year [similar to the 2016 team] purely for the fact we have a few blokes back,” he said.
“It is fairly similar side so hopefully we will get the same result. Always nervous and that sort of stuff before a final but it would be a shame if we don't go in confident.”
Should the game come down to the wire, Uphill will hope his senior players with finals experience can lead the team home.
“Batting-wise I think Todd Francis and Dean Moore will be our big help there, they will be our senior batsmen at the top of the order and both are due for runs at the moment,” he said.
“Hopefully we get a good track, a good day and those boys stand up and score a few runs. They are big game players as it is so they will love the final.”
Armidale City suffered a form slump after the one day competition but Uphill said its anyone’s game on the day.
“To be honest, I don't think they [City] are too far off,” he said.
“Kyle Taylor looked good in the couple of overs he faced the other day and Karl Triebe always bowls well. If we can manage those two we will be in a fairly good spot.”
Uphill’s counterpart Kyle Taylor said Easts will head into the clash as favourites but his team are happy to wear the underdog tag.
“They go in as favourites, and deserve to be, we haven't been playing well so we are the underdogs which is fine,” he said.
“I think the pressure of being favourites can get to some of the boys and then they get in their own heads.”
Taylor said it will be up to himself along with Triebe to spark the side back into form.
“I don't want to put any more pressure on Karl but he was rested last weekend and I am not planning on bowling him Saturday if we get on, I am going to lessen his workload going,” he said.
“I just have to stand up with the bat and if me and Karl perform well and the other boys chip in around us I think we will go close to beating Easts.”