Mitchell Finnie would really like a take a close look at the Bates Shield.
The Otago Whatukura player-coach reckons he has had more than half a dozen shots at helping to win it in the past but Southland has always prevailed in the annual derby.
The Otago Mareikura will attempt to defend the Henderson Shield and hour earlier in what shapes as a entertaining afternoon at Hancock Park.
"They won it recently, but because I’ve been travelling to Christchurch I have not been able to play for the last couple of years," Finnie said.
"So I’ve personally never won it [the Bates Shield] and there are quite a few guys in the team that have never won it."
"I don’t even know what it looks like."
The 27-year-old normally plays in middle in-field but will be pitching in the game and batting high in the order.
"I’ve been doing a wee bit of it at training and in the preseason stuff in Christchurch, so I’ve feeling pretty good."
Finnie said both sides were "fairly young" which meant they did not carry any historical baggage.
Whatukura have a couple of guns to look out for.
Josh Forrester was in the junior Black Sox squad last year. He is a catcher but will slot in at first base for Otago.
He is a left-handed hitter who is blessed with power and a high hit rate.
Arguably the heaviest-hitter in the team, though, is Ash Watson and he will likely bat in critical No 4 slot.
"I reckon this will be the best chance we’ve had to win it when I’ve been playing.
"I’ve probably had eight attempts at it and haven’t won it yet."
Mareikura coach Corey Senelale was confident the women’s side had prepared well for their derby.
They had a good warm-up game against an invitational team. They have also picked up Canadian pitcher Kate Dolinski, and she has been in good form during the past month at club level.
"She is going to be fundamental in helping defend the shield but also at the Jubilee Cup this year," Senelale said.
Both teams will travel to Christchurch early next month to compete for the Jefferies Cup (men) and the Jubilee Cup (women).
Mareikura will also lean on Toni Elers to get some good hits and the captain Katie Smith is a leader in the field.
Bates Shield
Hancock Park, tomorrow, 2pm
Otago Whatukura: Anaru Anderson, Mitchell Finnie, Josh Forrester, Benjamin Foster, Nathan Hill, Josh Jones, Arana Kelly, Dennis Kristel, Caleb Leddie, James Mathiseon, Damian Samson, Corbin Tuwairua, Ash Watson, Cameron Watts.
Henderson Shield
Hancock Park, tomorrow, 1pm
Otago Māreikura: Terena Anderson-Ramsay, Tessa Brown, Paige Carr, Kate Dolinski, Toni Elers, Mariana Ioane, Erin Jacobsen, Reah Price, Kadince Robinson, Katie Smith, Keisha Togo.
