City United skipper Matt Trappel says the decision to play an extra batsman had paid off day one of their two-day game against top-two rival Thornton.
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"We're well placed. Anything over 200 at Thornton you've got to be happy with as it's not the easiest place to bat," he said.
"I'm quite happy with defending 200. It's a big game we're playing for the minor premiership.
"There is no excuse for the boys not to be up. The boys are going to be ready for it. Our finals cricket starts this week, well started last week.
"We did really well and executed the first part of the equation by batting out the 80 overs and making 200 while Thornton was bowling very well."
Jordan Burton came into the team last week and provided City with a strong start making 28 and anchoring the innings as Trappel opened up to score 55.
"We went with the extra batsman last week in Jordan Burton and he did the job well. It meant Jordan Murphy went back to twos, but we've got plenty of bowlers," Trappel said.
"Tim Baker and Tim Burton opening the bowling have been doing the job for us all year. Nick (Bower) is among the leading wicket takers then we've got Heiney (Michael Heinrich), Ben Davies and Josh (Trappel) as our bowlers.
"It's about putting a good performance together now and going into the finals with winning form and hopefully the minor premiership."
After going into the Christmas break unbeaten, City's record in the second-half of the season is two wins and four losses.
"I don't think we've played bad cricket. Two of our losses really came down to the toss. They were 40 degree days and one-day games and we were absolutely buggered," Trappel said.
"We've been in the contest every game and we're not far from hitting our best.
"Going into the finals we know that we can beat any team. We've got to put a couple of good performances in starting this week."
Trappel said it had been another incredible competitive and tight season and it was fitting that the final four would not be decided until the last round.
"Whether it's Wests or Norths one very good side has to miss out," he said.
"Every team that gets through to the finals has a case to take out the title.
"The good thing for us is that we've got a lot of finals experience. We've got a lot of guys who have played finals and big game players and that's the big bonus.
You've got the likes of Josh (Trappel) and Nick (Bower), as well as Heiney (Michael Henirich), Ricky Dent and Anru (Kriel) who have a lot of experience."