The maroons face Orange City at Wade Park on Saturday in the opening 40-overs-a-side one-dayer of the 2015-16 Orange District Cricket Association season, and with a history of enthralling encounters between the two clubs Venner says he’ll know exactly where his side stands at the completion of play.

“To be honest this is exactly the kind of game I wanted us to have first up,” the returning batsman said.

“Every year over the course of the last decade or so, City has been the one side week-in, week-out we’ve continually battled with. 

“I don’t think one side has been on top of the other for a great period of time.”

Venner said despite a slow pre-season the club was confident of being able to press for a finals place at the least - and Saturday’s result will indicate how close or how far the club is away from achieving that goal.

“This will be a good indication as to where we’re at early in the season,” he added.

Cavaliers defeated Orange City in the 2013-14 decider, before that the Warriors claimed the 2012-13 grand final after knocking off Cavaliers in a thrilling preliminary final.

And just last year, Cavs, despite finishing third on the ladder, mounted a run at the premiership with a commanding win over Orange City in last year’s penultimate game of the season, veteran all-rounder Stu Middleton recording 2-9 off nine overs in the first innings and then hitting 57 and an unbeaten 77.

Although the absence of Middleton is a big one for Cavaliers, Orange City isn’t without its absentees either.

Skipper Dave Boundy and batsman Matt Findlay are both unavailable this weekend, leaving the leadership responsibilities with paceman Jackson Coote.

And in an interesting selection, the Warriors have gone with twin spin, prodigious wicket-taking tweaker Jay Shah to be joined by returning Orange City finger spinner Josh Cheney for the Wade Park clash.