The Rail eager to end Lake Illawarra's reign in South Coast Cricket one-day final

With nine trophies in the cabinet, the Lakers have won every piece of silverware on offer in that period.

The Rail have spent much of the past five years traipsing up the mountain.

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On Sunday they hope to reach the summit, knocking off their rivals in the process.

The two teams will clash in the South Coast one-day final, the first of three trophies on offer this summer.

The Rail hold home-ground advantage, having finished on top of the ladder after six 50-over games.

Lake Illawarra hold the recent edge, defeating the Razorbacks in their first clash this season.

Both sides are quick to claim the underdogs tag, but they are just as quick to proclaim their confidence at lifting the trophy on Sunday.

"We're the best two sides at this stage of the competition," Lake Illawarra captain Mark Ulcigrai said. "They finished first, they have home-ground advantage. We've got the trophy in the cabinet, we'd like to keep it there.

"It doesn't get easier to play finals, but with a trophy on offer, I know the guys will be ready. The pressure will be on them to win one, we know how to handle that pressure.

"They deserve to be favourites, they finished first, albeit on quotient. Home-ground advantage makes a difference, they know what to expect out there, we don't."

The Rail last contested a one-day final in 2017, a 75-run loss to Lake Illawarra.

The period since that result has been eventful, a wooden spoon in 2018-19 followed by an immediate rebound last summer.

With their last title coming in 2014, captain Brett Gilly acknowledges his side has had to wait a long time to lift a trophy. He's confident, however, the years of hard work will pay off on Sunday.

"The rivalry's been there for a few years," Gilly said. "Over the last five years our club's been building. We're in the best position we have been in a while.

"We always believe we can win it. This year is the best team we've had on the park.

"The inclusion of Brynley Richards is huge. He's in awesome form, he has a wealth of experience playing in Sydney. Having him in our side will lift the rest of the guys too."

With rain forecast for Sunday, the weather could have a bearing on the decider. Should the game be washed out, a new date will be found for the fixture later in the season.

That removes the chance of Lake Illawarra losing their crown without even taking the field, the side dropping to second on the ladder after a shock loss to Kookas in round seven.

That was a match played without all-rounder Kerrod White and Ulcigrai is confident his inclusion will provide a boost for the Lakers.

"I don't like to single out players, but they'll be singling him out," Ulcigrai said. "If they target him, there's another guy that can stand up. We'll have the next bloke in line ready.

"Kerrod thrives on this type of stuff. He loves finals, but we're not a one-man team."