Hunter confident Newbuildings have the

Newbuildings captain Ross Hunter believes his side will go into this weekend’s North West Senior Cup final with their strongest team in years as they attempt to turn sustained consistency into another piece of silverware.

The Foyleview club face Coleraine at Beechgrove on Friday and Saturday in the showpiece occasion of the North West season, with Newbuildings appearing in the final for the fifth successive year.

They have already secured one trophy - the Faughan Valley T20 Cup - during an impressive campaign and remain in contention for three more, making the coming weeks potentially among the most significant in the club’s history.

For Hunter, however, the Senior Cup remains the prize that matters most.

“At the start of the season we sat down and planned out the year ahead, and the Senior Cup is always at the top of our list,” he said.

“We just hope this weekend goes as planned.”

Newbuildings’ record of reaching five consecutive finals is a remarkable demonstration of their consistency, but it has also brought its share of disappointment. They have lifted the trophy only once during the previous four deciders and have too often arrived at the biggest weekend of the season with important players unavailable.

This time, Hunter is optimistic that circumstances have finally fallen in their favour.

“We’ve been trying to get our strongest team out at all times, especially leading into the final,” he said.

“I think we have all bases covered. It’s probably the strongest team we’ve had available for as long as I can remember, so hopefully everything falls into place for us.

“In the last couple of seasons, we haven’t really been able to get our full-strength team out in the finals because of injuries and other things.

“That’s not the only reason we lost those games, but we always feel it’s important to have our strongest team available. Hopefully we’ve learned from the past.”

Their depth is evident in both disciplines. Newbuildings possess considerable power and experience throughout the batting order, while their bowling figures underline how responsibility has been shared rather than resting with one individual.

West Indian international Peat Salmon has enjoyed an outstanding season, scoring more than 900 runs while also claiming 29 wickets. Yet Hunter insists the overseas professional’s impact is only one part of a wider collective effort.

“Peat has obviously been exceptional and is out on his own with the bat, but there have been contributions right through the team,” he said.

“Jared Wilson has scored around 500 or 600, while Ross Dougherty and Ryan (Hunter) have also made about 500. It has all been shared around.

“It’s the same with the bowling. Peat has 29 wickets, Jared has 29 and I have 28, so we haven’t been depending on just one bowler.”

The captain is also encouraged by the impact of the new-ball pairing of Gregory McFaul and Josh Wilson, who could have a major influence during the opening exchanges at Beechgrove.

“Gregory has been great over the last while and has really come on,” Hunter said.

“Josh only joined us this season, but he has been a great addition to the team. He always gives 100 per cent, puts his body on the line and has been a big help to us.”

With experienced players capable of contributing well down the order, Hunter feels Newbuildings are better equipped than ever to cope with the fluctuations and pressure of a two-day final.

“We’re batting right down to eight, and there are experienced hands coming in who have been in these situations before,” he said.

“Hopefully that experience can help get us over the line this time.”

Newbuildings will begin as favourites, but Hunter is adamant that Coleraine’s underdog status makes them no less dangerous.

It is 40 years since the Bannsiders last lifted the Senior Cup, and they will travel to Beechgrove with an opportunity to create their own piece of club history.

“I certainly wouldn’t look past Coleraine,” Hunter warned.

“They are a very decent side with plenty of match-winners. They have David Cooke, Scott Campbell and their professional, as well as a lot of experienced heads throughout the team.”

The two-day format gives the North West final a distinctive place in the local sporting calendar. Tactics, momentum and concentration will be tested across both days, while another large crowd is expected to add to the atmosphere.

For Hunter and his team-mates, it is an occasion that retains its magic regardless of how often they have experienced it.

“It’s one of the best weekends of the year,” he said.

“You always get a big crowd, and the players and supporters love the occasion. We’re just hoping now that the weather holds up.”

The opportunity is there to make another successful season truly memorable. Hunter is hoping that, at the fifth attempt in as many years, Newbuildings can produce their best when it matters most.