The chance to win the first piece of silverware comes very early for South Wagga and Lake Albert.
The two clubs will battle for the Larkins, Mumford and Rogers Memorial Cup in the first round of Wagga cricket season at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
The Blues claimed the honours when the cup was first played for last year and the Bulls are desperate to get their hands on the prize.
“It would be really nice to start the year getting a trophy after round one,” new Lake Albert captain Rob Nicoll said. "It doesn’t happen very often.
“Especially being the Bulls’ 125th year, it would be nice to fill the trophy cabinet up.”
The trophy was introduced to honour South Wagga cricketers Michael Larkins and David Mumford and Lake Albert legend Derek Rogers.
The trio died in a car accident while coming back from a Wagga representative game in 1979 and the cup was created last season in their memory.
After the lower grades were washed out last season, both clubs are looking forward to a big day at the Robertson Oval and Bolton Park precinct.
The best player in each of the four grades will receive a medal and the club with most points will take home the cup.
A win in first grade is worth four points, second grade three, third grade two and fourth grade one.
South Wagga captain-coach Joel Robinson believes the trophy adds more incentive to start the season well.
“It gives you something extra to play for,” Robinson said.
“Last year didn’t get a true indication, as it was only first grade, so throughout the whole club it will definitely be nice.
“Lake Albert probably haven’t been as successful in first grade in previous years, but their lower grades have always been pretty good.
“I think their first grade will definitely be on the improve this year so I think all grades will be a pretty tight contest.”
Lake Albert missed finals last season but Nicoll is confident things are heading in the right direction after he and coach Craig Footman made the switch from Wagga City.
“We’ve done all the hard work and we’ve been training for the last eight, nine weeks now,” Nicoll said.
“All the excitement has built up and we want to let all that energy out in the first contest.
“We’ve prepared very well, have really good direction and structure and want to see how that goes in place.
“South Wagga have been in the last few grand finals and the prelim final before that so it will be a good test to see where we are at.”
