Westbury wicketkeeper Wes Ripper at the ready as Mowbray batsman Michael Aram plays a defensive shot in last week's game. Picture: PAUL SCAMBLER
MOWBRAY will have a full strength side available for its NTCA semi-final clash against South Launceston at the NTCA No.hs1 Ground this weekend.
The Eagles regain captain-coach Clinton Reid, top-order batsman John Le Fevre and left-arm quick James Storay for the grand final qualifier in a significant boost to the team.
Reid was absent for his side's final round 228-run loss on the first innings to Westbury but was confident they could turn that form around.
The record stands at 1-1 during the season with Mowbray having an easy victory in a one-dayer and the Knights sneaking across the line in a close two-dayer.
``It is a pretty even game on paper and our last game suggests that as well and whoever wins will have to work hard to win,'' Reid said.
``We hope to improve and need to improve on our performance against Westbury.
``We've been working on a few disappointing aspects and we're confident we can turn that around and look forward to being at full strength for the first time in a while.''
SOUTH LAUNCESTON coach Ben Austen rated Mowbray as a very good side but said his team prided itself on being able to compete with any other club in the competition on its day.
``We know what to expect from Mowbray who are good, tough competitors,'' Austen said.
``They are a good bowling and batting outfit so we are going to have to play our best cricket to challenge them but we're looking forward to it.
South had an outright win over Launceston in its final roster match which he said was a good preparation for the semi-final.
``We had goals and plans we executed which was the most pleasing thing to come out of last weekend.
``We had challenges we wanted to tick off and we did that in both batting and bowling,'' he said.
Mark Nutting is expected to return to the South side from injury.
WESTBURY will host George Town in the other semi-final at Westbury.
The reigning premier will start as red-hot favourite but coach Adrian Tudor said his side would not be taking the Saints lightly.
``George Town have a little bit more X factor than the other teams in the competition but they are going to be down bowlers in Gavin Nutting who injured himself late in the game last week and Gabe Bell who has school cricket,'' Tudor said.
``That will hurt them and they will have to find some other bowling partnerships.''
Tudor said the Shamrocks had played consistently good cricket all season with the only blemish a loss to South in the semi-final of the Greater Northern Cup.
``We've been comprehensive in a lot of our victories so we're very pleased with how the season has gone.''
Westbury will be without Kieran Hume who is injured with Paul Claxton his replacement.
GEORGE TOWN coach Rohan Pooley said his side knew it faced a tough task but was looking forward to the challenge.
``They have been the premier team all year but finals are a different game and they might have a few final's demons and nerves after missing out in the Twenty20 and then losing the Greater Northern Cup semi-final,'' he said.
Pooley said his team hoped to be able to dismiss Westbury captain Dane Anderson early and put pressure on the other Shamrock batsmen.
`` Anything can happen and we hope to have a good day and feel we can beat anyone on our day.
``Westbury are a good all-round side so we need to concentrate when batting and occupy the crease for a long time, execute our plans with the ball and hold onto our chances in the field.''
The Saints will be without Bell but expect Nutting to overcome an injury niggle and play.
NTCA SEMI-FINALS (Tomorrow and Sunday) -
Westbury v George Town, Shaws Oval.
Mowbray v South Launceston, NTCA No.1 Ground.
