University captain Rhys Voysey has declared his team will arrive at Figtree Oval on Saturday determined to make amends for an underwhelming end to the 2020 season.
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The side is still bitter about being denied a chance to secure a sweep of the Twenty20 and two-day trophies, coronavirus seeing last year's grand final cancelled and the title handed to minor premiers Northern Districts.
As a result, Uni entered the new season with an added dose of motivation, the club eager to complete the Twenty20-50-over double they were denied 12 months ago.
The team is now one win away from achieving their goal and becoming just the second side to win both trophies in the same year.
With the rain clearing, Voysey is confident his squad can defeat Wollongong in Saturday's Cricket Illawarra grand final.
"It was a strange way to end last year," Voysey said. "It was very anticlimactic, we weren't sure how to feel, it was an odd way to end.
"A fair chunk of the boys played last year and didn't get that chance to play in a grand final. The fact we're likely to get on and finish on Saturday, it's nice to know we'll have a result either way.
"Not too many teams have done the double, winning the Twenty20 and the main competition in the one year. If we're able to get two in the one year, it would be a pretty cool way to finish the season. We've played well and consistently throughout, it would be a good reward for everyone."
A victory will end a 14-year title drought for University, a lean run that pales in comparison to what their rivals have endured.
This season marks 50 years since Wollongong's last title, the club defeated in six grand finals in that time.
Having finished with the minor premiership and losing just three games throughout the competition, there is a belief this is the team's best opportunity in a long time to break the drought.
Wollongong's last decider came in 1997 and while they are fully aware of the club's tortured history, captain Nathan Loveday said his side won't be feeling any extra pressure on Saturday.
"I don't think it's pressure," Loveday said. "It's exciting. We have worked really hard this year, coming to this game, whether it's 50 years or one year, it doesn't really matter to us.
"That's the past, history's meant to be created, hopefully we can do that on Saturday."
Wollongong prevailed in the two 50-over clashes between the teams throughout the season, Uni claiming victory in October'sTwenty20 semi-final.
The most recent fixture was a rain-affected game in early February, Wollongong securing a tense two-wicket win with three balls to spare.
Both captains agree past results mean nothing come Saturday afternoon, with Voysey backing his side to lift when the game is on the line.
"It's a grand final, there will be pressure for both sides," Voysey said. "Who has more pressure, I can't say that. We're under pressure, they're under pressure, it will be a good contest.
"It will be a bit different not playing a two-day grand final, a one-day final will have a different feel to it, but that's the way it's been all year.
"It will be all about who wants to put their hand up, make the big efforts on the day, with the ball or the bat, or do something amazing in the field. That's what it will come down to."
Cricket Illawarra Captain's Predictions
Balgownie - Graeme Batty
Winner: University
Man of the Match: Rhys Voysey
Corrimal - Kyle Trebel
Winner: University
Man of the Match: Mitchell Hearn
Keira - Troy Coleman
Winner: University
Man of the Match: Rhys Voysey
Northern Districts - Jackson Stewart
Winner: University
Man of the Match: Mitchell Hearn
Port Kembla - Daniel Phelps
Winner: University
Man of the Match: Rhys Voysey
Wests - Zach Churchill
Winner: University
Man of the Match: Jono Rose