There’s no doubting the two sides set to face off for round nine need to win if they are any chance at making the finals.
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Hillgrove and Ex-Services are struggling to find form with the bat.
Servies succumbed to Guyra in their recent match and made 114 after Guyra posted 306.
Hillgrove didn’t even reach 100 against Easts.
The two teams sit one point adrift of each other on the Armidale Cricket first grade table.
Servies captain John Elliot was frank about his team’s efforts this season.
“I am not going to sugarcoat it and I haven't sugarcoated it with my players either,” he said.
“It is about time we start winning games of cricket.
“It is just up to our batsmen to put a high price on their wickets.
“I must sound like a broken record but that is what we have to do, put a high price on our wickets.
“We know we can all bat, we just have to show it instead of leaving it up to Brad Widders all the time.”
The last time they faced each other, Servies took the win but Elliot isn’t letting that affect his team’s mindset heading into the coming encounter.
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“We did but as far as I am concerned, that was then, this is now and I am expecting a fully fit and stronger Hillgrove side this time around,” he said.
Elliot’s team will be without teenage batsman Benji Marshall but are hoping to welcome back their leading wicket-taker Dan Hogan.
“Young Benji is out, he will be out for a couple of weeks with a fractured thumb,” Elliot said.
“Trev Smith is out as well but we pick up Nathan Street and Nathan Lane so that is handy.
“Last week it didn't help having our leading wicket-taker unable to make it at the last minute but he is back on board this weekend and raring to go.”
Hillgrove’s Matt Schaefer was just as plain-spoken as his counterpart when it came to his own team’s performances.
“There just doesn't seem to be any value put on our wickets at the moment,” Schaefer said.
“I think we are bowling okay but we are not performing any partnerships with the bat and no one is really being responsible for batting time in the middle.”
They’ve also opted to shift around captaincy responsibilities with Brad King stepping up on game days and Schaefer taking care of the weekly team selections.
“We have had a bit of a shake-up in the team as well – Kingy is doing all the captaining on the weekend because I have missed so many games,” Schaefer said.
“Kingy has a mountain of experience and cricket knowledge.
“To be honest I haven't been giving it the time you should be giving it.
“I think Kingy taking that leadership role on the field on Saturdays will be the best for us.”
Hillgrove will also welcome back opening batsman Matt Baillie and pace bowler Max Laurie for the match.