Woodford captain Nick Butters says his team will go in as underdogs in the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association one-day final on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The second-placed Eels will take on top-of-the-table Brierly-Christ Church at Avery's Paddock in Port Fairy.
"If you look back at the last game, they flogged us," Butters said.
"We've still got a lot of ground to make up."
READ MORE:
Butters admitted he was surprised his side had made the final given its player absences this season.
The undefeated Bulls smashed the Eels when the sides met in round five.
Woodford could only manage 98 before the Bulls' opening batsmen Matt Love and Nathan Murphy finished off the match.
But Brierly-Christ Church coach Jason Mungean isn't reading much into that result.
"They were undermanned that week," he said.
"They'll have a completely different side this time."
The Bulls will arguably have the biggest absence on Sunday.
Captain Matt Love won't play due to his Vic Country duties.
Mungean said his group would go into the clash with confidence despite Love's absence.
"We've been challenged a couple of times and batted right to bottom," he said.
"I think we've got the right mix to be competitive and have a shot at it."
The Eels have more players available than they did in round five.
Wicket-keeper Ross Levett is back from holidays and played against Allansford on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Luke and Adam Wines returned to cricket in recent weeks.
They had a break after a big season with the North Warrnambool Eagles in the Hampden league.
Butters said Alex Jennings - who has been playing with Northcote - was also in the mix.
Star batsman Kory Howlett, who was unavailable to play against Allansford on the weekend, is back for Sunday's encounter.
Howlett has hit scores of 92 and 56 this season.
Butters said the focus for the final would be on batting positively and rotating the strike.
The Bulls aren't lacking any motivation to win the match.
Mungean said it was a chance to get redemption after losing last season's one-day final to Russells Creek.
"We haven't had too much success in division one so we need to make the most of every chance we get," he said.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
