IT'S time to wear the underdog badge with pride.
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Bathurst's under 12s and 14s travel to face Orange in this Sunday's Mitchell Cricket Council finals knowing the hosts will enjoy favouritism in both deciders.
One year after Bathurst dominated all three age groups in the Mitchell competition the tables have turned.
Bathurst's squads have many bottom-age players in action this season but it hasn't stopped the 12s and 14s from reaching the last day of the season.
The Bathurst under 14s have a big task ahead to try and turn around the result from their previous meeting against Orange.
Orange were too strong on that occasion, scoring an eight wicket win on the back of an unbeaten 95 from James Harper.
Bathurst coach Chris Warry said the team has the capability to beat Orange but they'll need their best game of the season to make it happen.
"Jacob Lamb, Liam Cain and Cooper Warry are the kids we need to contribute on the weekend. It'll take a good team effort in the field, and that's let us down in a couple of our games so we've worked on that a lot," he said.
"Liam and Jacob are our dual captains and they lead the side really well. Liam's a strong opening bowler and Jacob's our opening batter. I feel like we'll be strong in the batting department, we just need to lift with our bowling.
"There's some really strong cricketers in that Orange team and we'll need to get them out quicker than we did in that last game."
Meanwhile under 12s Bathurst coach Matt Stephen said there's plenty of ambition in a relatively experienced squad, who are just thrilled to earn another clash against Orange.
"They're excited to have made it. There's only three boys who have been there before, so they know what it's about. I tell them that at the end of the day it's just a game of cricket. They just have to go out there and do themselves and Bathurst proud," he said.
"One of our players is 10 and a couple of them are 11. I'm not going to put any amount of pressure on them at all. Just do your best, that's all you can do."
Orange will come into the game with plenty of momentum after a 259 run hammering of Blue Mountains, which included an unbeaten 217 to Toby Middleton.
Bathurst earned their place in the decider with a win over Mudgee in a do-or-die clash for both clubs.
Cooper Stephen, Blayde Burke and Gilby Glawson are the Bathurst trio chasing back-to-back titles.
Under 14s will play at Wade Park and the under 12s final will be at Riawena Oval. Both games start 10am.