CENTURION (South Africa) - It takes a lot to hear Northerns coach Peter Kirsten offer words of comfort on the eve if a quarter-final clash; even by his taciturn standards his comment of ``I am well satisfied with our preparation'' is quite a mouthful.

This view is no doubt based on the evidence of the Titans mid-week floodlit practice and last night's lighter run as they set themselves a new challenge when they meet Free State at SuperSport Centurion today in the fourth of the quarter-final matches in the Standard Bank Cup.

Although admitting that the knock out stages of any series is pitted with dangers and luck can also play a part, Kirsten, as did the skipper Mark Davis, made a full evaluation of Northerns approach to the game against a ``tough and well-rounded'' opposition.

There are no longer easy passages into the semi-finals. Perhaps it is the way it should be. With the failure of the experiment of using Kenya and Zimbabwe A as cannon fodder for the two top sides in the league to qualify for the semi-final stages, the new format has added spice to the competition. Northerns, however, well rested after a three-week gap in their playing schedule, should be a lot fresher than other sides, although Kirsten was moved to agree that Border looked and played as if it was their first game of the season when they beat Eastern Province on Wednesday.

``I must say that the guys are hungry and the motivation factor has been easily put in place,'' Kirsten said.

``We have looked at all our options and our tactics and I know that Free State will have done their homework as well from our last game.''

Yet the Titans have one advantage over the visiting Eagles, they have seen their limited-overs plans in action against North West, who admittedly batted badly under pressure at Fochville. Neither Kirsten nor Davis are fooled by what they saw of that match. While one plan may work for one team, different tactics are needed to combat the abilities of a stronger side.

Free State have a healthy respect for Northerns. They have not had the best of seasons and have lost three games to the Titans this season. The first was with their full compliment of Allan Donald, Hansie Cronje and Nicky Boje. Also, the memories of October 2 are still firmly etched in the minds of the Free State management.

In the lead up to that game Free State's new coach Andy Moles declined to take calls or discuss his thoughts of his side. Not so Kirsten. He knows too well the value of well-placed comment.

If the lack of batting bonus points has been the problem for Northerns this season, the depth at limited-overs level has been obvious from the start and the depth and balance has grown as Quentin Ferreira and Dirkie de Vos have blossomed at the right time.

Northerns have approached this game the way they have the double-header in January when they won the League and nothing is as motivating as that. ``We area as ready as we will ever be to going to the semi-finals,'' was Davis' comment. It is a view which has been supported by Kirsten.

Northerns (from): Roy Pienaar, Mike Rindel, Martin van Jaarsveld, Gerald Dros, Dirkie de Vos, Dennis Smith, Quentin Ferreira, Pierre Joubert, Mark Davis (capt), Greg Smith, David Townsend, Rudi Bryson.

Free State (from): Gerhardus Liebenberg (capt), Boeta Dippenaar, Morne van Wyk, Jonathan Beukes, Kosie Venter, Louis Wilkinson, Herman Bakkes, Johan van der Watt, Dewald Pretorius, Matthew Hoggard, Wian Smit, Sarel Cilliers.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen and Cyril Mitchley
TV: Johan Cloete.

Hours of play: 4.00-6.55pm; 7.25-10.20pm, TV: SuperSport/CSN