In fact none of the side have.

You have to go all the way back to the late 90's for the last time City had the chance to play for the Wombramurra Rose Bowl Trophy.

They will be looking to change that this weekend when they take on Old Boys for the remaining spot in the grand final. North Tamworth are already there, progressing straight through after their major semi-final against City was washed out.

Mead on Friday spoke of feeling "excited" and a bit "nervous", and "looking forward to our players playing good cricket".

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It's something they haven't really been able to do at this stage of the season.

Two years ago they lost the major semi-final to Old Boys and were then rolled by West Tamworth in the preliminary final. Last year they again fell to Old Boys in the major semi-final, COVID then denying them the chance to play the preliminary final.

Mead, who returned to the first grade fold and took over the captaincy last season, said the way the season ended has added a bit of fire to the belly.

"Even though last year we won the first innings, at the back end of the match we didn't play our best cricket and they produced some quality batting to give themselves a chance to get the outright," he reflected.

"Some concessions came from that."

One of the biggest ones was being a bit tougher and more resilient with their batting. They needed to be able to "ride the tough times for longer periods".

They have at times this season shown they have taken those lessons on board, although it has been difficult to get momentum, Mead said, particularly at the back end of the season.

Of a potential eight days of cricket since the end of January, with wash outs, they have played probably three.

The weather is again expected to be a factor and could throw up some challenging dynamics.

Mead said the key will be putting enough runs on the board.

"We have a very strong bowling attack, they are a confident group," he said.

"We're not shy on changing things and putting plans in place."

They have tasted some finals success this season winning the Twenty20 final. He said they will take a bit of confidence from that although it was a while ago now.

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