The Stags have a young line-up that has been steadily improving, while the Phantoms are an older, more experienced team. 

Both clubs are unsure what to expect come Saturday at Yanco Sportsground. 

Stags captain Dionisio Pantano was looking forward to what he hoped would be a close game. 

“It’s still at that stage where I’m not too certain exactly on who will be playing and who isn’t,” he said. 

“We’ve got a good crop of younger players that are improving and moving up the ranks.

“Nathan Lanham was playing really good cricket last season, so we’ll be looking to him again no doubt. 

“I think we’ve got a pretty good mix this year of young players and those that have a bit of experience.”

The Stags have picked up some new players in the off-season, but Pantano was reluctant to name names until official clearances had been approved. 

He said the Phantoms would again be a tough side. 

“They’ve got a really good bowling attack with ‘Hoppy’ (Adam Hopkins) and Richard Keith,” Pantano said. 

“We’ll have to get through them and hopefully get some runs on the board. 

“Last season we had some really great games against the Phantoms, so I’m expecting the same on the weekend.”

For the Phantoms, current captain Simon Wallace was unsure what side he would be fielding against the Stags. 

“A few of the blokes have been training when they can, but we’re only having our first official training run (Thursday),” he said. 

“It’s hard to say so early in the season how we’re looking. 

“I think it will be much the same as last year. 

“Once we get a few games under our belt we’ll know how we’re looking.”

This year the Phantoms will be focusing more on connecting with their B and C grade teams, which are co-ordinated by Yanco Agricultural High School. 

“We’ve got Toby Daniels (from YAHS) coming into A grade this year,” Wallace said.

“He played a few games with us last year. 

“He’s really handy.

“We’ll be looking at doing a few training runs out at the Ag with B and C grade this year, so we can have that connection and that pathway for the younger kids to play A grade.”

Wallace was looking forward to Saturday’s contest. 

“It’s always good to play Yanco Hotel,” he said. 

“It’s a competitive match, but it’s always played in the right spirit.”

Wallace was hopeful Steve Weckert and Matt Dedini would have big seasons with the bat this year. 

“We’ll be looking to them to get some runs, but it’s always a team effort every game,” he said.