A desperate United side will again tinker with its batting line-up in a bid to rediscover some confidence for this weekend's qualifying final against Moss Vale at Bradman Oval.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
United has had a disastrous lead up to the final after a Wingello walloping last week leaving a host of key players searching for form.
Aaron Brook, Sinclair Chick, Aaron Fox and Richard Stone are all languishing with the willow while time has run out for the struggling Mick Arthurs who has been dropped for the crunch match.
The winner will meet Wingello in the first grade decider next week.
"It's hard to pinpoint what exactly is going wrong but the boys want this one badly and they've all put their hands up to be counted," United captain Cameron Belshaw said.
"We have to play it like it's our last game and none of us would bother going in if we didn't think we had a chance.
"It's a young side and we've shown a lack of discipline in the past but you won't see any of that this weekend."
United were bundled out for just 86 on a synthetic pitch in last week's major semi with Wingello- an innings onlookers described as pathetic.
"Clearly we have a problem with our confidence if we're getting knocked over for 80 on synthetic," Belshaw said.
"But we'll prove just how resilient we are tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Moss Vale will enter tomorrow's first day brimming with confidence after a series of thumping victories- the latest a 161 hammering of Picton/Hill Top last week.
And despite losing the last three first grade grand finals, Moss Vale skipper Matt Heyhorn is confident this year's path to the big one will steel his side for victory.
"It's good for us to have to do it this way because it keeps us switched on," he said.
Led by dangerous opening bowlers Scott Shepherd and Tony Friedrich, Mossy will target the confidence-hit United top order.
"We've got to try and put as much pressure as we can from the outset," Heyhorn said.
"We need to target key batsman like Fox, Belshaw and Brook."
The match will be played on both Saturday and Sunday.
United: Aaron Brook, Tim Neven, Cameron Belshaw (c), Aaron Fox, Scott Spence, Dean Roxburgh, Scott Manley, Sinclair Chick, Aaron Melverton, Richard Stone.
Moss Vale: Terry Loader, Geoff Banfield, Daniel Loader, Matt Heyhorn (c), Tony Friedrich, Ewan Tope, Graeme O'Donnell, Anthony Wolf, Scott McKie, Scott Shepherd, Peter Canestrari, Cameron Smith.
