Horouta captain David Situ says his team know they can beat anyone on their day.
“We've been talking all season of putting everything together.”
The team were plagued again by a poor batting performance last weekend but Situ believes they have what it takes to come out on top.
“Every Saturday is a new game. Anything could happen on the day.”
It will, however, require another colossal effort from the entire Horouta squad to topple the Ian Loffler-captained OBR side.
OBR have played good, consistent and smart cricket all season. They have won four of their six games and made those who have beaten them work hard.
They are firm favourites tomorrow but are not expecting a walk in the park against a Horouta side determined to push them to their limits.
Loffler said the team had gained momentum and he was proud of how they had played to finish top of the leaderboard heading into the semis.
Their losses, particularly to Horouta, had only strengthened their resolve and showed them the gaps in their game that needed to be plugged.
“It's positive for us because we won't be treating them lightly. It's knockout cricket and we know they will be ready, but so will we.”
OBR will look to their experienced players to provide an attacking platform with bat and ball.
“It's been awesome having Carl Carmody back in the team and we know if he bats for a while he'll get some key runs for us.”
“We're looking to Jimmy (Holden) and Cooky (Matthew Cook) with the new ball.
“We've got an awesome bowling line-up, and we're going to back that.”
HSOB and GBHS have shared wins against each other this season and both will be hungry to earn bragging rights from their third meeting.
HSOB have looked the best team in the competition since it started but lapses in concentration have cost them.
If their key playmakers come out firing, it will be hard for any team to stop their rampage.
Captain Carl Shaw is back tomorrow after being unavailable for the past couple of weekends.
Shaw said the team's approach to the semi would be like every other weekend — trying to play to their potential and enjoying themselves.
“I wouldn't say we are favourites. Any team can win on their day, which makes the competition very exciting.
“GBHS have been an awesome inclusion. With a couple of men bolstering their team, you can see the difference it's made to the boys' confidence, which is all they needed.
“There's lots of talent in the side and it's awesome to see the students perform.”
HSOB, however, pose a formidable challenge for the students, who have been struggling to put together a full 11-player performance.
They have yet to get a strong foundation from their top order, which would allow them to utilise wickets in hand later in the innings.
But they have done incredibly well at this higher level, proving they deserve to be there.
GBHS coach Mal Trowell said the team had been a bit “ordinary” the last couple of weeks but knew what they needed to address.
“The boys have been working hard at training — putting in the practice at the nets to bring it to the game situation.”
They will be missing two of their adult players, including the dangerous Nic Hendrie, whose three knocks have reaped 175 runs at an average of 87.50.
The absence of that experience will make it a tougher test for GBHS but Trowell says they're ready.
“I'm optimistic. We've got to look at it as a one-off game that if we win, we make the final.
“I think it'll be quite close. If someone has a stand-out performance then it could swing the game.”
Stewart Patrick will umpire the HSOB-GBHS clash, while Jason Trowill will control the OBR-Horouta game.
Play is scheduled to start at 1pm at Harry Barker Reserve.
