John Rogers has seen Weston Creek Molonglo lose two consecutive Douglas Cup grand finals and he'll be damned if it's going to happen again on his watch.
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So now it's over to him and his fellow batsmen to chase down 290 for a first innings lead against minor premiers Eastlake in the Cricket ACT Douglas Cup decider.
Eastlake posted 290 in the first innings and left Creek to face five overs before stumps. Rogers (20*) blasted a six in the first over before safely getting Creek to 0-22 in the run chase at Chisholm Oval on Friday.
"We talk a lot about trust, we trust each other, we trust the work that we've done, and we also trust the team as a whole," Rogers said.
"If we go in with that mindset, we can relax and play because we know everyone has done the work and is good to go."
Creek skipper Rogers was expecting "big things" from star bowlers Djali Bloomfield and Harry Medhurst so he gave them a chance to shine when he won the toss and chose to bowl.
Wickets often fell in pairs but the honours were split at stumps on day one with Eastlake knocked over for 290 late in the piece as they hunt for their first Douglas Cup title since 2004-05.
Ryan Bartley led the way for the hosts with 86 (139) while Nikhil Mathai (64), Mitchell Taylor-Briscoe (36) and No. 11 batsman Adam Tett (37*) nudged the minor premiers along.
Medhurst (4-63) did the bulk of the damage with the ball, while Blake Dean (2-45) kept the milestones coming when he claimed his 150th ACT first grade wicket.
Eastlake has a huge task ahead as they look to roll Creek for a first innings lead - not an easy feat against Canberra's premier batting line-up with star brothers Jono and Blake Dean coming off double centuries.
Eastlake skipper Paul O'Malveney says the Demons were "looking to bat for a long time" but now the onus is on the bowlers to deliver against a stacked Creek outfit.
"[Our bowlers] know their games really well. They know their limitations and they play within it which is really good," O'Malveney said.
"They need to stay with that especially with the batting line-up that Creek have got, we just need to stay patient.
"We're hoping there is a little bit in it early with the new ball."
Meanwhile, ANU are on track to back up their second grade one-day triumph with one hand already on the Campbell Cup against Queanbeyan at Freebody Oval.
Englishman Matthew Lawes' heroics (3-17 from 15 overs) helped to roll the Bluebags for 109 and give the Owls a sniff of a boilover.
Owls veteran Randall Starr (113* from 112) played a lone hand as he blazed a quick fire century to give ANU a 58-run first innings lead with four wickets in hand at stumps on day one.
Play continues in the first and second grade deciders on Saturday, while third grade through to sixth grade will begin their grand finals.
CRICKET ACT GRAND FINALS
First Grade Douglas Cup: continues Saturday-Sunday - Eastlake v Weston Creek Molonglo at Chisholm Oval, 11am.
Second Grade Campbell Cup: continues Saturday-Sunday - Queanbeyan v ANU at Freebody Oval, 11am.
Third Grade Sides Memorial Cup: Saturday-Sunday - Queanbeyan v ANU at Neil Bulger Oval (next to Freebody Oval), 11am.
Fourth Grade Ainslie District CC: Saturday-Sunday - ANU v Queanbeyan at ANU North Oval, 11am.
Fifth Grade: Saturday - Queanbeyan v Weston Creek Molonglo at Brad Haddin Oval, 12.30pm.
Sixth Grade: Saturday - Ginninderra v ANU White at Kippax Enclosed Oval, 12.30pm.
Women's Lynne O'Meara Cup: Sunday - Western District-UC v Tuggeranong at Jamison Oval, 10am.
