EASTS have been the runaway dominant side in the Armidale District Cricket Association one-day competition this season, but skipper Sam Uphill says that means nothing grand final day.
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Uphill even went as far to say he doesn’t believe his side are favourites to take out the title.
“I picked City as the team to beat at the start of the year and I still think they are,” Uphill said.
Easts haven’t won a premiership, one or two day, for a number of seasons, but they have a prime opportunity to add some silverware to the cabinet when they clash with City in Monday’s one-day decider.
Both sides head into the match in red-hot form, with City thrashing Servies and Easts belting Hillgrove last weekend.
“The win over Hillgrove gives us some good momentum,” Uphill said.
“It was a pretty convincing win, but not as convincing as it could have been, Hillgrove were missing Matty Schaefer.”
Dean Moore has been in scintillating form for the minor premiers, highlighted by his knock of 92 not out last weekend and his skipper will have his fingers crossed that form continues into the grand final.
“He’s done it all year,” Uphill said of Moore.
“Hopefully he’s got one more in him.”
After a slow start City has found its feet in recent rounds and Uphill is wary of many of City’s big guns, particularly opening bowler Karl Triebe.
“Dean and Nath [Porter] have a big job to do seeing of Triebey,” he said.
“But it doesn’t get much easier after that anyway.
“Matt Morrow is a great bowler, so is Adam Sweeney and Steve Butler has been bowling well this year too.”
City’s opening partnership of Kyle Taylor and Brad Smith was also highlighted by Uphill as well as wicket-keeper and middle order bat Paul Woodford.
“Brad is due for a big score, but hopefully it’s not this weekend,” he said.
“Paul Woodford is a classy bat as well. He’s a very big wicket for us, but their top four or five are all big wickets.”
