Victoria Shamrocks coach Walt Christianson and Peterborough Lakers' coach/GM Jamie Batley started the gamesmanship during a luncheon at the Memorial Centre on Thursday to officially kick off the 2006 Mann Cup.

The Lakers beat Victoria in Peterborough two years ago and Victoria beat Peterborough in B.C. last year for the national senior lacrosse title. The rubber match, a best-of-seven series, kicks off with games 1 and 2 on Friday and Saturday at 7:45 p.m. ET at the Memorial Centre. The series continues on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Christianson tried to set his team, the defending champions, up as the underdogs while addressing the gathering.

``Peterborough, obviously, has a very, very good team,'' Christianson said. ``A lot of people have counted us out. A lot of people in Peterborough have counted us out as I've been reading in the media what people have had to say. Hopefully, we can make a game of it and give them a series.''

Batley was quick to respond when his turn came wondering where Christianson got the idea anybody was counting the Shamrocks out.

``I can tell you, Walt, that we've let them know we're not going to take (Victoria) lightly,'' Batley said. ``We know it's a great organization that's walked through the doors of Peterborough and we highly respect them. Walt, we're not taking you lightly.''

The commissioners of the respective OLA Major Series and WLA leagues took turns poking fun at each other.

WLA boss Sohen Gill noted many of the Lakers players have played in B.C. in the past.

``We trained quite a few of them in B.C., like John Grant, Tracey Kelusky, Chris Panos, Jason Clark, there are a few more, too,'' Gill said. ``We trained them in B.C. to play in the Mann Cup. It's pretty well an all-B.C. final, it looks like, to me.''

Brady playfully accused the B.C. teams of kidnapping Ontario players.

``I know there are a whole bunch more out there now, getting that same type of training,'' said Brady.

Gill says bragging rights are on the line as the teams meet for the third consecutive year.

``They both won a series last year and the year before, so this is the rubber match,'' said Gill.

Brady says the quality of Canadian lacrosse has never been better noting both teams had tough battles to get out of their leagues. Victoria needed double-overtime in the seventh game of their semifinal to defeat Coquitlam. The Lakers were taken to six games by tough Brampton and Barrie teams.

``(Victoria is) a great team to watch and well coached and they are fierce on the floor,'' Brady said.

And in regards to the Lakers, Brady said: ``It was the most competitive MSL league we've ever seen. This team has been put together in the fires of tough lacrosse and they're ready. And they don't like losing, especially losing to Victoria.''

Brady said he expects nothing less than a great series and a showcase for their sport.

``These guys are solid. Nobody gets out on the floor for these two clubs that isn't a top, proven lacrosse player,'' said Brady. ``The real winner in this is the city of Peterborough and all the fans who come to the games and us who watch it and back it. It really is an accomplishment this year that you have two clubs like this. I know it's going to be a great series.''

City councillor Jack Doris, representing Mayor Sylvia Sutherland, noted he's been a fan of the sport for 60 years and he knows the city will support the series.

``The people of Peterborough appreciate what's going to happen here over the next few days,'' said Doris.