REIGNING state Twenty20 and Cricket North champions Riverside will have to fight off in-form TCL premiers Longford to make it back-to-back titles.
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The Blues will face the Country Tigers in the tournament’s qualifying final round at Windsor Park on Sunday with Riverside coach Paul Bunton optimistic about his side’s chances.
“We are happy to be back at this stage of the competition again… we probably got out of jail against Launnie in the earlier final,” Bunton said.
“We’ve spoken about Longford and know they’ve got some really experienced players… and they have obviously played some very good T20 cricket so we will certainly be respecting them.”
Bunton said Riverside would be at full strength with opening batsman Tom Garwood, Oliver Wood, captain Alex Saunders and English import Jack Williams among their key players.
Longford were knocked out by Wellington in the semi-final stage last year and captain-coach Josh Adams said his outfit are keen to go one step further into the decider.
Country Tigers opening batsman Shannon Rumbel, who hit 87 off about 30-odd balls last week, Adams and bowler Brett Martin will lead Longford’s charge.
“It’s going to be a challenge, a step up for us… but we have got some good players as well,” Adams said.
“The wicket is generally pretty good to bat on.”