The Lakers enter the match having blown apart The Rail a fortnight ago, while Shellharbour fell to Oak Flats in a tight clash. Despite the differing round one fortunes, Taylor said his side is taking plenty of positives out of the defeat.  

“We expect the weather gods to play a fair part in the game,” Taylor said.

“I always back my guys, if we play to the best of our ability, to what each individual player is capable of on the day, then we give ourselves every chance to get a result.

“The loss to Oak Flats was a real good, hard game of cricket and was what both sides needed to put them in good stead for the season.”

In other South Coast matches this weekend, Kiama/Gerringong host The Rail at Gerry Emery Oval and Oak Flats face Kookas at Geoff Shaw Oval.