THEY might be the two youngest members of Griffith’s O’Farrell Cup side, but they have the full backing of the leadership group ahead of their clash against Wagga this Sunday.
Yoogali’s Pat Whittard and Coro’s Fletcher Josling will make their O’Farrell Cup debuts this weekend in one of the biggest representative games for the city in many years.
The debutant ranks grew by one yesterday when selectors added Yenda’s Shaun Stubbs in place of Exies’ pace bowler Chris Mansell.
On the line this Sunday is the prestigious trophy which was taken off Griffith in the final challenge of 2011, and captain Tom Spry and his side are hell-bent on reclaiming it.
Spry said he had seen first-hand how Whittard and Josling responded to pressure, and backed them to not be intimidated by Wagga’s tatics.
“They’ve both been in good form with the bat and Pat with the ’keeping gloves as well, so we’ve tried to reward guys who are in a bit of nick (form) so far this season,” Spry said.
“So it’ll be a good challenge for a couple of young guys to go over there and play Wagga.
“But we have got full confidence in them to do the job we need them to do, I’ve played against both of them this year and they look the goods.”
The only representative match Griffith has played this season was its capitulation against Leeton in the SCG Cup, where they wickets after being bundled out for a paltry 41.
Helping Griffith’s cause is a very long bowling attack, with nearly every player from top to bottom able to provide handy options for Spry.
“That’s something we looked at when making up the team, because we have so many guys who can bowl we though we’d go for the extra bat,” Spry said.
“We’ve got a lot of options with the ball, but we might need that because if we go over there and its a good deck we might need them.”
Wagga has named a strong side for the clash, but still has some weaknesses, with perennial star all-rounder Kurt Robinson missfiring for South Wagga for much of this season.
However, Korringal Colts first drop batsman Ben Tett has been in excellent form as has Joel Robinson, who sits atop the competiton for runs.
Wagga will also field a debutant on Sunday, with 15-year-old fast bowler Mick Mattingly getting the nod, while opening batsman Andrew Dutton will also be the side’s lead spin option.
“It sounds like a strong side, but once you get to this stage of the year it’s a case of all hands on deck when you have the cup,” Spry said of Wagga’s side. “Because there aren’t too many challenges left in the year and I doubt we’ll get another one if things don’t go our way, but that will make us even more hungry to get the win.”
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