SHOALHAVEN Ex-Servicemens stand in the way of North Nowra-Cambewarra's bid to create history in this weekend's Shoalhaven District Cricket Association first grade final at Hayden Drexel Oval.
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The hosts, who are the reigning premiers, will be out to become the first team since Berry-Shoalhaven Heads (2015/16 and 2016/17) to go back-to-back - a feat the club hasn't managed since 2011/12 and 2012/13.
While the visitors will be gunning for their first ever premiership in the top grade, since entering the competition in 1994/95.
"Reaching this final has been 25 years in the making and the jubilation in some of the older boys is incredible - they can't wait," Norths skipper Justin Weller said.
Contrastingly, Ex-Servos captain Daniel Gleeson will be playing in his sixth grand-final and has been part of three premiership winning teams.
"Reaching another final is always memorable, especially being part of this side, who is one of the most talent squads I've been a part of," Gleeson said.
"We have a number of guys who are more than likely going to retire after this game, so we want to send them out as winners."
Gleeson, to ensure his side wins its 11th first grade premiership, knows what his team need to do.
"I've said all season long, we have as good a bowling line-up as anyone in the competition, led by Nate Jones, Trevor Thomason and Nathan Tyrrell," he said.
"It's up to our batsmen to produce at the crease and put together a score our bowlers can defend with the ball."
Statistics back up Gleeson's comments, as Jones has claimed 33 wickets this season, at an average of 9.91 - closely followed by Justin Ganderton's 18 wickets at 10.94.
The Ex-Servos' batsmen, led by Blake Munilla (261 runs at 23.73) and Gleeson (244 runs at 22.18) face a huge task and will face the form bowler of the association in Justin Weller - who has 54 wickets to his name this season.
Those 54 wickets came at an average 7.26 and strike rate of 20.07 - with his best figures of 7/8.
Backing up his skipper with the cherry has been Damian Spelta, who has 20 wickets on the season, at an average of 12.90.
But Weller's dominance isn't restricted to just with the ball, as he is the club's leading run scorer this season with 364 runs and an average of 28, with a high score of 92 coming earlier this month against Ulladulla United.
Norths second best batsmen has been the reliable Shane Bell, who has recorded 261 runs at an average of 37.29.
"Justin [Weller] proved how dangerous he can be by taking seven wickets in the semi-final, which he backed up with a strong score of 42 with the bat," he said.
"As well as him, other players we want to contain are Nick McDonald, Dean Tyson, Graham Davidson and Luke Huard - who are all big game performers."
Weller agrees with the thoughts of his counterpart, saying he was counting on big performances from his batsmen on Saturday and Sunday.
"Our bowling attack has been fantastic all year and I don't expect that to change this weekend - it's up to our batsmen, particularly our top three, to lay a platform for the rest of us," Weller said.
"If we can do that, I know we can bring home the title - a dream that everyone at the club deserves to experience."
Play starts at 1pm Saturday at 10.30am Sunday.