The two sides played just last week, with Lake Illawarra recording a narrow 14-run victory. 

Ulcigrai recognises his team must improve on that performance, but he's confident they will turn up ready to play in the sudden-death fixture. 

"It's always a close one when we play Shellharbour," Ulcigrai said. "That showed last week when it was a close game and we anticipate it will be the same this week."

"We need a bit more application with the bat and our intensity needs to lift a bit more."

While disappointed to have lost the minor premiership after Oak Flats' successful appeal, Ulcigrai said the next two weeks are key for his team. 

"This is what you play cricket for, to play finals and win trophies. Everyone's ready to go this week."

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