“We’ve always struggled against Wairarapa in recent years, to be honest, and so we’re under no illusion of the challenge they’ll be down there,” coach Warren Marr said.
“Every game’s been a big game because when you start winning, everyone’s expecting you to win and that’s what we’re expecting of ourselves.
“Normally, they’re a really good batting unit, but we’ve been bowling really well, so we’ll put them under some pressure for sure.
“It’s all about partnerships, both with the ball and with the bat – we’re showing we can do that in both innings now.”
Whanganui’s line-up has strengthened this week with the return of former Stags professional Ben Smith and wicket-keeper-batsman Connor Rees.
Smith will want to continue his good form with previous scores this campaign of 85 and 63, after veteran Mark Fraser came within one run against Manawatū of drawing level with him again for the record of seven centuries for the association.
Rees had an impressive week with the Central Districts Under-19s who finished fourth at the national tournament in Lincoln.
Across six games, he scored 183 runs at an average of 36.6, plus took two catches and a stumping.
Their return put Marr in the tough position of having to leave out successful players from a winning squad – Timothy O’Leary and Nick Burroughs.
“Never had to do that before – very surreal and that’s the beauty of developing a squad now and the health of the squad.
“I think it’s a tribute to Cricket Whanganui, right from the top with Pete Bowman as the general manager, his belief in us and giving us everything we need as a squad.
“I want to give a lot of credit to Pete and the association for really backing us this year.”
Bowman will be acting team manager in Masterton this weekend.
Play starts at Queen Elizabeth Park at 10.30am on Saturday and Sunday.
The Whanganui team: Tom Dempster, Ben Smith, Nick Harding, Carter Hobbs, Mark Fraser, Connor Rees, Shaun O’Leary, Hadleigh O’Leary, Connor O’Leary, Aidan Muir, Tim Roebuck and Harry Burroughs.
