It has been a mixed bag for Griffith at representative level this season, but with only a handful of challenges remaining, the locals are hell-bent on keeping the cup this off-season.

In a blow to the side’s chances, regular skipper Tom Spry is unavailable for the game due to work commitments, with Griffith to miss his explosive lower-order hitting and more than handy spin.

Stand-in captain Tim Rand said while he would have loved to have a player of Spry’s experience, he backed the team at his disposal as they look to rip the cup away from Leeton.

“We’ll miss him that’s for sure, he’s been good for us with the bat in the rep games this year, and he’s been good with the ball,” Rand said.

“But I’m definitely happy with the side, especially all of the young blokes getting a go because that’s the direction we decided to take about 18 months ago.

“And Haydn (Pascoe), Theo Valeri and Jamie Winkler have been in the extended squad for a while now, so giving some of these other young talented guys a go is the best thing for our rep cricket.”

Yenda’s Shaun Stubbs retains his position in the batting order, after solid performances at club and representative level this season.

“He got a 30-odd the other week and he went all right in the last O’Farrell challenge so we’ve tried to keep much of the same side as last time,” Rand said.

Griffith will boast another strong and long bowling line-up, with Mark Wade and Paul Plummer set to take the new ball, with Theo Valeri and youngster Tom Shannon to come in at first change.

“Chris Mansell looks like he’s still unavailable, but we have Shane Hutchinson, Fletcher Josling and Tom Webb bowling some spin so we’ll have plenty of options,” Rand

said.

When The Area News told Rand the side picked by Leeton, the Griffith captain confirmed they will have a fight on their hands to bring the cup home.

“It sounds like they’ve picked a strong side, Matt Curry will be a big wicket for us especially after his hundred against Wagga,” he said.

“But there’s a few other guys that are dangerous, Matt Del Guzzo is also a pretty good bat.”