"Obviously none of us are happy about the way we have been going and this is a chance to turn things around. We want to make the most of it."
For that to happen, however, discipline will need to be a key word in the Wairarapa dressing room.
The trend of batsmen losing their wickets through lack of patience or poor shot selection needs to be broken while the massive thumping by Hutt Valley in a Tararua Shield limited-overs game last Sunday should have taught the bowlers a valuable lesson in the importance of maintaining consistent line and length, and holding their nerve when the batting side is on the charge.
Even a cursory glance at this weekend's batting line-up suggests Wairarapa should measure up well in that department.
Yes, they are still trying to sort out a regular opening pair with Jamie Holmes likely to be joined by his Lansdowne clubmate Alex Treseder at the top of the order, but their depth is evidenced by the fact Ben Foster, who is a handy batsman by any standards, will probably come in as low as No10. Henry Cameron, Sam Curtis and Harry Clinton-Baker have all scored "tons" at this level and Josh Jacques, Seth Rance and the returning Paul Lyttle have a history of decent scores as well.
Throw in promising youngster Liam Burling, Foster and one of either Calvin Ball and Stefan Hook-Sporry and the side is chockful of players with the potential to put bat to ball with telling effect.
Rance is unquestionably the leading light in the Wairarapa attack.
The former Central Stag did not play against Hutt Valley and his absence left the side without its main strike force, and it showed big time.
He will relish the chance to get among the brittle Wanganui batting order, and so should the likes of Hook-Sporry, Ball, and Foster, all of whom are capable of playing at a lively medium pace.
