GEORGE Town will have to bat well in its second innings to stave off outright defeat at the hands of Westbury when their two-day NTCA match resumes at Shaws Oval tomorrow.
The Shamrocks were in a strong position at stumps last week after dismissing the Saints in their first innings for 123 - Nick Spencer picking up outstanding figures of 7-16.
Westbury was 5-227, a lead of 104 runs, with five wickets in hand.
George Town coach Rohan Pooley said his side would need to pick up the remaining Shamrock batsmen as quickly as possible and then set itself to bat for the remainder of the day.
``We're in a pretty difficult position so it will be about batting for a long time,'' he said.
``We've got three two-dayers to come and our top four to six batsmen have to get used to batting longer now that the one-day games are finished.
``It's about setting yourself to bat for a session and bat the bowlers into the ground a bit and not focusing on scoreboard pressure.''
Pooley said Spencer's spell last week was phenomenal and said he would have bowled anyone out on the day.
He said the Saints were keen to do well over the remaining games as they attempt to consolidate a spot in the top four and play finals.
``We're not talking finals or anything yet and we will just worry about each game as it comes and try to play well and do the basics right.
``Last week's Greater Northern Cup victory was great for the boys and the club but we need to move on from there and try to build success in the two-day format.''
George Town will be without two of its key batsmen, with Scott Semmens and Marshall Pooley both away.
Gabe Bell returns to the side from state duties, with Zac Barber the other addition.
LAUNCESTON will be hoping to pick up quick wickets when it resumes against Riverside at the NTCA No.1 Ground.
The Lions made 5-195 last week and will try to defend the total against the Blues, who will begin their run chase.
``If we can knock over two or three of their top order quickly that will set things up in our favour,'' Launceston captain Rowan Smith said.
``If we bowl well, we should be able to bowl Riverside out for less than that.''
Smith said he expected the NTCA wicket to play similarly to last week.
James Whiteley has independent school cricket commitments and bowler Matthew Woods comes in as his replacement.
SOUTH LAUNCESTON will resume at 1-33, in its run chase after bowling Mowbray out for 160 last week.
South coach Ben Austen said if his side applied itself with the bat, he was confident it could take the points.
``We're looking to have a good day with the bat and if we have a good day we will go beyond that and that's what we are pressing for,'' he said.
``If the ground is like it was last week with a fairly long outfield we will have to be patient at the crease.
``I'm sure the Mowbray guys will be up and ready for the game and trying to stop us from scoring.''
Austen said last week's batting collapse in the Greater Northern Cup was a different format and situation which should have no bearing on this weekend's play.
``We set ourselves to play Mowbray last week and we're certainly looking at last Sunday as a speed bump,'' he said. ``We're looking to continue our form on in the NTCA comp.''
The Knights lose wicketkeeper-batsman Nathan Philip to state duties and captain Sean Harris is unavailable.
Tom Waller and Alec Smith come into the team.