Holbrook stunned Wagga in last season’s final match to hold the long-time symbol of Riverina cricket supremacy, which dates back to 1925.

The home team will again face one of the two ‘big’ associations, along with Cricket Albury-Wodonga.

“We’re only a little association, but we’re pretty proud and we punch above our weight a little bit,” captain Darren Howard said.

“It’s going to be a big challenge facing Wagga on the weekend, they’ll definitely be wanting that Cup back pretty badly.”

Holbrook has made just two changes from the last game in February, adding experienced all-rounder Todd Hannam (The Rock Yerong Creek) and crafty left-arm bowler David White (Henty).

“Todd’s made two 90s the last two weeks and David will bring us more depth in our bowling, I thought we were probably a bowler short last time, but we got away with it,” Howard said.

The Osborne veteran believes the pair’s inclusion guarantees it’s the strongest outfit.

“This is my sixth year as captain and it would be yeah, it’s just a lot more depth, normally you rely on five or six blokes, but we bat right down and have got plenty of options with the ball,” Howard said.

Wagga, meantime, is missing six automatic selections, including Australian Country star Jon Nicoll.

All-rounder Sam Perry and opening batsman Brayden Ambler, who played three games with Tallangatta in 2016-17, will be key players.

“As you see time and time again, the small towns lift,” Wagga coach Shaun Perry said.

Griffith challenges the following week.