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Cape Town - Dolphins coach Grant Morgan believes his players are refreshed and ready for a final push towards the Sunfoil Series title ahead of their clash with the Cape Cobras in Pietermaritzburg starting on Thursday.
Just three rounds remain in the 2017/18 campaign with less than 15 points separating the top five paving the way for an intriguing run-in.
The Titans lead the way with 104,34 points with the Durban side (92,16) fourth, followed by their round eight opponents from Cape Town (90,86) fifth.
The teams did not play a round last week due to a break in the fixture list and Morgan admits it was some welcome time off for his side.
"I think the break came at a perfect time if you consider our run in the One-Day Cup and the extra games we've had to play," he said. "Also, with the injuries to our seam attack, it gave our players some recovery time and even our batters.
"It afforded them some time to reflect on what has been an excellent season in many ways from a character point of view but also one where we'd also like to improve."
Time is running out, though, for all the teams hoping to reel in the Titans meaning that pressure is likely to intensify in their bid for the trophy.
However, Morgan insists the joint One-Day Cup champions are not feeling any of it.
"We feel we've earned the right to have a crack (for the title) and don't see that as pressure but a privilege or energiser after setting up the position we're in with some of our performances earlier in the season," he added.
Meanwhile, Cobras coach Ashwell Prince is also hopeful of catching the leaders, but says it will be tough considering the way the season has gone thus far.
There have been only three wins out of the 21 games played - one for the Dolphins, one for the Titans and one for the Warriors.
But Prince is not prepared to throw in the towel.
"It’s been a strange old season and it continues to be a strange old season with not a lot of results happening anywhere," he conceded. "We're still confident about our prospects.
"There's still three games to go in the competition with only three teams that have won games, and they have all won just one too, so we’re only one win behind the leaders."
As for the clash against the Dolphins, he added: "There's no easy games, but we're confident that we have the personnel to get results. Let's hope we have a good pitch in Pietermaritzburg that will enable us to get that win."
