Presidents' final scrap

Giants will be at full strength for their grand final match, in the Hutt Valley Presidents grade, against Hutt Valley Marist in the Hutt tomorrow.

And they are determined to go one better than they did 12 months ago.

Then, the competition decider was between Giants and Steelers. In a titanic struggle, it was the Steelers who grabbed the spoils by just a solitary run, 8 to 7.

Most of the players in that Giants squad will be turning out again this weekend and coach Allan Clarke is confident they will be primed to ensure the same fate does not befall them again.

"The final was the only game we lost last year and it hurt; we'll be up for this one all right," he said.

Giants and Hutt Valley Marist have met three times this season and the score is 2-1 in Giants favour. However, the most recent clash which came just last Saturday saw Hutt Valley Marist triumph 6-2 but Clarke says Giants won't be dwelling on that defeat when they take the diamond tomorrow.

"Quite frankly we didn't worry too much about that result at all because the final was a week later and we were more intent on being ready for that," Clarke said.

Back in the pitching role for Giants tomorrow will be Tony Nixon and his experience will ensure Hutt Valley Marist have to scrap for every run. Nixon was rested last weekend and also returning is Richard Carroll who, along with Gordon Wilmshurst, Mark Fricker and Russell Kawana, are key members of the Giants batting line-up.