THE Tamworth Thunderbolts will be looking to wrap up their Waratah League season with an inaugural first grade championship.
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To take out their first-ever title, the Bolts must win a semi-final in Terrigal on Saturday before doubling up for a grand final on Sunday.
Thunderbolts veteran Chris Skilton said his side's semi-final opponent was one they were very familiar with.
"We are playing the Hills Hornets in the semi-final and they are the only team we have lost to this season," Skilton told the Leader.
"However, we did beat them recently, so we are feeling pretty confident we can get the job done in the semi-final."
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After defeating the Sutherland Sharks in the qualifying final two weeks ago, Skilton said the side was feeling confident they could "go all the way".
"Sutherland finished on top of the other pool and we were able to beat them," he said.
"Now they are out of the finals, so we are feeling pretty confident we can match it with anyone we come up against."
Skilton said playing back-to-back finals in two days wouldn't pose any concerns for the squad.
"It might be a bit of a factor for older blokes like myself, but it shouldn't be any worries for our younger guys," he said.
"One strength of ours this season has been our depth - we have been lucky to have so many guys to stand up when they're needed.
"Hopefully we should be able to share the load of the two games pretty evenly throughout the group."
A championship would cap off a stellar season for the Bolts, which has seen head coach John Ireland named Waratah League coach of the season.
The honours did not stop with Ireland.
Thunderbolts point guard Quayshun Hawkins was also named the competition's most valuable player.
"We have had a really good feeling around the group all year and I think we are still feeling pretty good heading into the weekend," Skilton said.
"As a group, we had a pretty good, laid back training session on Thursday night and I think we are as prepared as we can be."
Skilton said taking home the club's first championship would be "unbelievable".
"I know all of the boys will be doing everything they can to bring the championship home with us," he said.
"It would be really special - touch wood we can get the job done."
The Bolts' women's team will also take the court for a semi-final on Saturday, taking on the Wagga Wagga Blaze for a spot in the grand final.
Tip off in the the women's semi-final is 1.30pm followed by the men's game at 3pm.
Both games will be live streamed from the Tamworth Hotel from 1.30pm.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
