CONNOR Slattery has quietly built up a most impressive season of cricket and the St Pat's OId Boys player is hoping his strong form can continue into this Friday's Royal Hotel Cup decider against Cavaliers at Wade Park.
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Over his past six innings across Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket and Royal Hotel Cup action Slattery has achieved an average of 81.5, and top scored with 56 in his side's cup semi-final win over CYMS a fortnight ago.
The Bathurst representative and his team are keen to keep the wins coming.
"I think after we got beat earlier in the season against Cavs we all thought we were done. To make it into the semis and beat CYMS two weeks ago is amazing. We're super excited and we can't wait," he said.
"We're super pumped about we've been going in both competitions and we're looking forward to getting out there and giving it our best."
Pat's have the chance to claim back-to-back titles in the Orange Twenty20 competition.
The Saints ended the club's long standing first grade title drought with their win over Orange City in last year's Royal Hotel Cup final.
They then went on to win the Bathurst District Cricket Association crown in a comfortable grand final victory at the end of the season.
Even with significant player losses the Saints haven't taken a step backwards in 2019-20.
Especially not Slattery.
Slattery boasts a BOIDC average of 91.8 with the bat this season, and that's not just carried on the back of his unbeaten 152 against City Colts.
He's hit two half centuries in his past four BOIDC innings and was stopped one run short of making it three 50s.
It's quite the step up from his average of 32.75 in the 2018-19 BDCA first grade season.
"Things are going really good. I'm a bit surprised, to be honest. I've just been feeling a lot more confident than I have previously," Slattery said.
"I feel like I'm only going to get myself out. It's the best I've felt in my life, batting wise.
"It's a combination of experience and confidence for me. I just need to get in the right head space."
Saints are looking to turn things around from the previous clash with Cavaliers.
Cavaliers marquee man Ben Mitchell hit his former Saints teammates all over the park when the teams met earlier this season, leading the Orange side to victory with his top score of 64.
Things are going really good. I'm a bit surprised, to be honest.
- St Pat's Old Boys' Connor Slattery
Slattery has plenty of faith in Saints' strike duo Ben Parsons and Mitch Taylor to stop Cavs from racking up quick runs.
"Last game we didn't bowl our best to Ben and we gave him too many easy chances," he said.
"We didn't have Parso playing in that game, so hopefully him and Mitch can both fire with the ball for us like they did against CYMS.
"I went up to watch Cavs last week against Orange City and they looked very good. This should be a great game."
The match at Wade Park starts 6.30pm.