Wollongong were flying a fortnight ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Undefeated in the Twenty20 competition, the Lighthouse Keepers looked set to continue their hot streak in the one-day rounds. Then it came crashing down.
A shock loss to University in the short-form semi-final was followed by a 50-over defeat to Wests last Saturday.
Captain Nathan Loveday admits his side is in a slump, but with an undermanned Uni travelling to North Dalton Park this weekend, he's confident Wollongong can play their way back into form.
"It's been a couple of weeks where nothing seems to go right," Loveday said. "It's one of the great levellers, you think things are going better than they are.
"It's been a tough couple of weeks, but we're eager to get back into it. We're wanting a little bit of revenge on Uni. They hold the Twenty20 trophy, we want the main prize, it's a good opportunity to bounce back."
The common thread in both losses were batting struggles, University restricting the Lighthouse Keepers to 9-120, before Wests bowled the side out for 165.
Loveday recognises his team must better adapt to the longer format.
"We need to be patient. If we bat 50 overs, I have no doubt whether we're chasing or batting first, if we bat the 50, we're a hard team to beat.
"Maybe it's a Twenty20 hangover, thinking we have to do it in 25 overs. Plenty of patience is needed now."
Saturday's other matches will see Dapto host Northern Districts, while Keira will travel north to face Helensburgh. Port Kembla will take on Wests and Corrimal play Balgownie.