WAUCHOPE RSL will rely on its depth to knock off Macquarie Hotel and bag back-to-back Hastings River District Cricket Association titles in the grand final which starts tomorrow.
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A couple of RSL players are under injury clouds heading into the big match, and they're at both ends of the age scale.
Young quick Daniel Morrison was struggling with a back injury this week, while the evergreen all rounder Jason Blythe has a troublesome groin which could put his finals tilt in some doubt.
Wauchope captain Brad Baxter was due to consider the fitness of both men after training yesterday afternoon.
He said they would be missed, but Baxter put on a brave face on Wednesday, saying he wasn't too worried about either player not taking part at Laurieton Oval.
"We've got plenty of depth to cover it," he said, fresh off the back of a game of cricket with opposing captain Michael Pelley on the Kooloonbung Creek bridge.
Their match was met with much bemusement by motorists and pedestrians.
Scott Mackedie could miss the game thanks to university commitments in Newcastle.
In good news for the team, bowler Andrew Murrell finally seems to be over a hand webbing injury which has plagued him ever since he attempted a catch in the crowd during a night match at Wayne Richards Park.
He broke fingers and split webbing that night, and has been hampered ever since.
When he's on, Murrell is close to the best bowler in the Hastings.
RSL has a similar side for the grand final replay. Bailey Smith and Josh King are in this year, in place of Darren Bourke and Mick Gough.
Todd Dalton is absent this season.
Baxter was wary of a dangerous Macquarie Hotel outfit.
"They're a lot stronger than last year," he said. "They have a lot of firepower all over the park, and they bat all the way to 11.
"It's going to take a team effort to beat them."
Pelley is taking charge of the team for its fifth straight final.
So far the honours are even. Macquarie has won two and lost two. He hoped to reverse the result of last season's RSL win.
Pelley agreed that his team was stronger this year.
He said it was a similar side to the regular season last year, but injuries and unavailability played a big part towards the end.
A number of regular second graders were forced to step up.
"It's something we never blame," Pelley said.
"They can only play against team the opposition runs out on the park, and you can only try to win with the team you have."
The Macca came off the back of a bye and into the finals, but blew the cobwebs out with a comprehensive win over Port Pirates in the preliminary final.
Play gets underway at 1pm tomorrow.
On Sunday, the first ball is bowled at 11am.
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