Wests/UC subscribes to the theory that a champion team beats a team of champions in its quest to win the club's third straight Douglas Cup premiership.
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With the one-day title safely in its keeping, the two-day championship credentials of Wests/UC will be put to the test when it takes on unbeaten ladder leaders Eastlake in the competition's penultimate round at Kingston Oval, starting on Saturday.
Eastlake is a perfect five from five in the longer format and has an eight-point buffer at the top of the table from Queanbeyan and Wests/UC, both on 22 points.
Gallop Cup runner-up Weston Creek Molonglo is fourth on 14 points just ahead of Tuggeranong (12), ANU (eight), North Canberra Gungahlin (eight) and Ginninderra (six).
Wests/UC is still basking in the glow of its first one-day premiership in 15 years after holding on for a thrilling four-run win against Creek last Sunday at Stirling Oval.
Despite Creek veteran Cade Brown producing one of the best knocks seen in the ACT first-grade competition with 192 from 167 balls, Wests/UC prevailed thanks to a century from Joe Cooke and a spell of 3-39 from newcomer Alex Taylor.
There were also key contributions from skipper Ben Oakley (3-74), all-rounder Ethan Bartlett (2-51), veteran opening batsman Darren Richards (61) and a superb diving catch from wicket-keeper David Spare late in Creek's innings.
It's that balanced approach that's been the key to the club's recent success, according to Wests/UC co-coach Mathew McGann.
"We've been able to have some solid contributions back through the grades so players are ready to come up when there's an opportunity," McGann said.
"We haven't had a settled team at any stage this year and haven't been able to pick our best 11 through form, availability and injury.
"We want to instil a game sense in these young guys so they know what to expect when they go up to first grade when they get that opportunity."
Cooke's splendid knock of 112 from 102 balls was the backbone of the Wests/UC innings, receiving great support from Richards to post a winning total of 312.
ACT under-17 representative Sam Skelly will make his first-grade debut this round in place of Oakley, who is being rested with an elbow injury.
It comes after another 15-year-old, Matt Gilkes, scored 97 in his maiden appearance in first grade last weekend in the loss in the two-day game against Creek.
McGann said the opportunity to win a third straight two-day title and possibly send Richards out in perfect fashion was a motivating factor.
"(Winning three in a row) has only happened four or five times in the history of the competition," McGann said.
"There's a few old stagers in the ones, so for Richo, it's potentially something that he signs out on.
"We're pretty focused on giving ourselves an opportunity to have a crack at that."
DOUGLAS CUP
Saturday: Weston Creek Molonglo v North Canberra Gungahlin at Stirling Oval. ANU v Ginninderra at ANU North Oval. Eastlake v Wests/UC at Kingston Oval. Tuggeranong v Queanbeyan at Chisholm Oval. Play starts at 11am.
