The last of Armidale Cricket’s one-day matches begin this weekend and for Guyra, it’s the chance for the side to snag their first win of the season since their return to the top grade.
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They face an Ex-Services side in Armidale who are ready to bounce back from a loss against Hillgrove on Saturday.
Servies have been hurt by their batting performances in their last two clashes and captain John Elliot is wary of a Guyra team hungry for a win.
“I can't see why they [Guyra] can't beat anyone on the day if they turn up,” he said.
“We have to treat them with the same respect as if it was Hillgrove, Easts or city, you can't just go in there thinking we beat them last time but that was last time. This weekend is a whole different ball game.”
On the bye weekend a handful of Guyra players turned out for the Association’s representative Connolly Cup team against Gwydir on Sunday and put in standout performances.
Shane Wolfenden had a knock of 60, the side’s top score, Brandon Landsborough made 51 after taking 4-15 with the ball and Nick Page got to 42 runs as well as collecting two wickets.
“Obviously there are a few batsmen that played rep cricket on the weekend that found a bit of form for them so that will put them in good stead for this weekend,” Elliot said.
“I think we have the bowling attack to contain them it is just a matter of our batsmen performing as well, they have been well below par in the last two games and that has been the difference between winning and losing.
“I just hope our batsmen can value their wickets a bit more.”
Guyra’s most recent game in round seven against City was their best performance of the season.
Until then, the team had failed to put triple figures on the board.
With their form improving and positive representative performances Guyra captain Charlie Keen hopes they can keep the roll on against Servies. He said the key to putting the win together lies with playing out their innings with the bat and restricting Servies’ openers with the ball.
“I was away the last time Guyra played but it was good to see a handful of boys show some form with the bat and ball,” he said.
“The team seems to be looking forward to playing them even though they have come off a loss and will be fired up. They did get an easy win the last time we played but if we get a few early wickets in the first five to 10 overs I think they may struggle.
“With the bat it's pretty straight forward, try and settle in at the crease and let the runs come.”