Schaw only played one cup challenge game as a Bay rep in his heyday in the late-1980s.
"We were in a real good position against Taranaki and the rain came," he says, emphasising his passion and involvement as a first-season coach now.
For him it's a platform for the provincial talent to aspire to play domestic cricket for the Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags and the CD A outfit.
"If we're doing that then we're doing the job right as performers," he says, indebted to CD Stags coach Heinrich Malan, general manager Lance Hamilton and Hawke's Bay Cricket Association CEO Craig Findlay for their collaboration.
It pleases him immensely that CD offer an invaluable taste of top-level cricket to the eight inter-district associations in the catchment area, more so than before.
The powerbase, he feels, has shifted to Manawatu as of late under coach Michael Mason, whose troops have etched their name on the silverware in the past three years and are keen to get their mitts on it again this year.
"We have to take a real good look at ourselves so we're trying to build a culture where the guys are respecting the game, beginning to play for each other and even during training."
Schaw says during his playing career two-day cricket was a given but not so nowadays.
Consequently it's an opportune time for the players to become adept at planning innings.
"It's all about batting time ... and getting back to the basics."
That stems from his admiration for the return of captain Jacob Smith.
"I've got huge respect for him as a cricketer so I'm really pleased his injured shoulder has come right," he says of the Heretaunga Building Society Cornwall CC player, who he won't risk as a bowler for fear of aggravating the injury.
Smith, he feels, benefits from having someone with the experience of CD spinner Ajaz Patel, of United Travel Taradale premier men, alongside him.
The Bay will have the services of top-order batsman Indika Senarathne, of Complete Flooring Napier Technical Old Boys, this weekend after four games for CD as an opener.
"I see Indy as our No4 batsman to give him time to steady the troops in the two-day game."
Schaw says it was no disrespect to The Station Napier Old Boys' Marist allrounder Casey Rangi or Taradale's Callum Hewetson "as those guys are still very much in the squad".
Enter debutant Rupert Young, younger brother of talented Stags batsman William Young and a Ruahine Motors Central Hawke's Bay player, who brings a bolshie approach as a batsman.
"Rupert likes to think he's a bowler but he won't be doing that anytime soon," says Schaw with a laugh. A Canterbury University student, Rupert Young hails from New Plymouth but has returned here this summer after mother Lenise and stepfather Tony Lendrum moved to Havelock North due to Lendrum's job.
Brother William says: "Roop is technically sound and he certainly can hit a ball. He's a clean striker of the ball."
Asked if Rupert will be as good as him, a laughing William wished his sibling all the best.
Schaw also is impressed with his fielding ability.
"He's our No3 batsman and I see him as a huge potential there. It's a position we've been looking to fill in the Bay for a while."
The dexterity of spinners Patel and son Angus Schaw enables the coach to carry another batsman.
He is confident his four seamers in Blair Tickner (CHB), Kurt Richards (Bayleys Real Estate Havelock North), Ben Stoyanoff (Taradale) and Liam Dudding (Cornwall) will spearhead the new-ball attack with aplomb.
The weather may have the last say, with rain punctuating spring-like conditions.
The Bay go in as overwhelming favourites but Schaw says they still have a job to do.
"We have to get 20 wickets to win so we're depending on the weather for a good start to Hawke Cup for an outright win."
HAWKE'S BAY: Jake Smith (c), Matt Edmondson, Rupert Young, Indika Senarathne, Angus Schaw, Graeme Tryon, Scott Schaw (wk), Kurt Richards, Ajaz Patel, Ben Stoyanoff, Blair Tickner, Liam Dudding.
