“We do think they're beatable, but we need to play well.”
In recent weeks OBR have struggled to pull together a full 11-man squad on Saturday, with work commitments and weddings ruling significant portions of the team out each weekend.
Tomorrow, OBR expect a full team to take the field, Cook says.
The team's key to victory is putting pressure on the GBHS team with the ball by getting early wickets and targeting the tail order, he says.
GBHS have had a strong resurgence after falling short of winning the Doleman Cup in their final against OBR. Since then, they have been the team to beat as key players with the bat have found almost unbeatable form.
Despite missing a game, Graham Sharp is the competition's second-highest run-scorer with an average of 106.
He has been well supported at the other end by a complement of strong batting performances from all members of the top of the order, who have blossomed in the premier division.
Since re-entering the competition this season, GBHS have made visible improvements on and off the field.
The decision to give the players experience by playing against the adults has paid off, with their players' rapid development.
Coach Mal Trowell says they expect a battle against OBR as a friendly rivalry between the teams has formed this season.
“At training on Wednesday in the gym, we talked about how we gameplan and go about it.”
The GBHS side will be at full strength this weekend, with Cohen Loffler available to play after being unavailable in recent weeks.
Adam Situ will not play as he has a prior engagement, but Trowell said with a squad of 14 players, they can't play everyone every week.
“He'll be back next weekend. We want to keep everyone in the fold.”
HSOB have some of the strongest players in their ranks. They can be the most dangerous players on the park when they find their form.
Scott Tallott's 46 off just 29 balls last weekend showed that if he keeps his wicket for a significant period of time, HSOB could build an almost uncatchable total.
In recent weeks the team have been unable to string together a complete performance, with minor slip-ups costing them dearly when it gets to crunch time.
They are a talented squad of players but haven't quite yet found the recipe for success that would have the other teams in the competition quaking in their boots.
After starting the season incredibly strongly, HSOB haven't been able to replicate that magic, but it's only a matter of time before one of their key batsmen goes on to score a game-winning century or a key bowler decimates an opposing batting line-up.
They are an exciting team to watch, partially because of their unpredictability, which always makes for an interesting game.
HSOB captain Carl Shaw will not play this weekend but said their goal was always to have a great time and enjoy their time in the field.
“Winning is a bonus,” he said.
“Horouta have some great talent in their squad, and we will never underestimate them. We have a great team confirmed for this weekend, and everyone is looking forward to getting out in the sun after this week's rain.”
Horouta are coming to the fore as the dark-horse team of the competition. After struggling for much of the season, they seem to have righted their woes and have had two strong performances in a row.
With their tails up, they can never be discounted. Strong performances from their key playmakers, such as Ryan Nepe and Parminder Kulaar, are vital to their success.
Coming into the final competition of the season, Horouta had their backs to the wall but have fought hard to compete against stiff competition.
It is only a matter of time before their recent form is rewarded with a win.
With only three more weeks of the regular season left to play, it's anyone's guess who will come out on top of the leaderboard. Ultimately it will come down to who's the hungriest to be on the field come finals day, with all the teams having the potential to make it there.
