Despite the loss of star fast bowler Sam Whitbread, Great Lakes captain Ryan Clark believes his side is still a strong chance of winning back-to-back premierships in the Manning second grade cricket competition.
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The team currently sits three points shy of front runners Taree United at the conclusion of the mid-season break, with competition set to resume this Saturday, January 23.
Despite losses to Taree West and United in the first half of the season, Clark said he had no concerns about how his side had been playing.
"I was very happy with the first half of the season," he said.
"Sam Hull was the leading run-scorer so hopefully he can keep going with it."
Clark admitted the team's uncharacteristic loss to West in the second round was likely the result of cockiness and complacency after a big win the week before, while their defeat at the hands of United three rounds later was less clear cut.
It'll be a big task but I think we can do it.
- Ryan Clark
Great Lakes opened well with the bat, setting a target of 174 after 38 overs, before a rain delay saw United return to chase down a revised target of 135.
Clark said he felt like the result went against them.
"I guess we did feel like we got a bit robbed," he said.
"I feel like the reduced target was in their favour."
In spite of the tough decision, Clark admitted that United was still the team to beat and he was looking forward to clashing with them again in the last round of the season.
"It should be a good game," he said.
"Hopefully we'll be vying for the top spot."
Clark believed a strong all-round performance would be needed to knock off United, especially if the two teams were to meet in the grand final.
"It'll be a big task but I think we can do it," he said.
"We've got the majority of the players back from last season, so hopefully we can carry that confidence forward."
One player who won't be back following the mid-season break is former premier league player Sam Whitbread, who has withdrawn because of university commitments.
Clark said it was a blow to lose the team's top fast bowler, but he also believed it would serve to motivate his players.
"It'll be up to the young fellas to step up," he said.
Clark believed 17-year-old fast bowler Will Elliott was already maturing into a great player, which was evidenced by his recent selection in the Bradman Cup-winning North Coastal Zone representative side.
"He's stepped up and filled some big shoes this year," Clark said.
"Drew Townsend with the bat too, he's stepped into an opening position for us - he's only 15 - and he's stepping in behind the bat very impressively."
Great Lakes is set to play Wingham this Saturday at Tuncurry in a game that Clark believes will be a good warm-up for the rest of the season.
"We're pretty confident," he said.
"We beat them quite convincingly the first round."
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