General News
11 October, 2022
Opening round beckons
WITH round one of the South West Cricket Association competition due to start this weekend, all eyes will be on the weather forecast in the hope that grounds will be dry enough to be deemed ‘playable.’
WITH round one of the South West Cricket Association competition due to start this weekend, all eyes will be on the weather forecast in the hope that grounds will be dry enough to be deemed ‘playable.’
With rain forecast later this week, clubs remain optimistic that the opening round will go ahead.
Reigning division one champions Heytesbury Rebels will look for back-to-back flags in season 2022-23, having defeated Mortlake in last season’s grand final.
With the Cats relocating to the Warrnambool District in the off-season, the Rebels have their eyes on a third SWCA premiership and will no doubt enter the season with added confidence and self-belief.
Having taken home premiership flags in both division two and division three last season, the Simpson Tigers are also looking for back-to-back honours.
Having the added bonus of their own indoor training facilities, the Tigers have been able to train regularly and off their ground, enabling it to stay as dry as possible in the lead-up to this weekend.
“I believe our ground is in great condition and should hold up well this week,” Simpson president David Weel said.
“We haven’t had to train on the ground and it’s had a decent break since the end of the footy season so it’s looking in great shape.”
Weel believes one of the biggest challenges currently facing the Tigers is getting two sides together.
“One of our biggest challenges, like many other clubs, is just getting 22 blokes available each week this side of Christmas. We’re in the heart of a dairying community so many blokes are either busy in dairies, driving trucks or getting stuck into harvest.
“If we can get a few early wins in before Christmas and come back stronger after that it’ll hold us in good stead for the season.”
With team captain Jimmy Gusmann suffering a broken finger last season, and missing the grand final, Weel believes he will be “extra keen” to get back on the ground.
“It was unfortunate for Jimmy that he was on the sidelines for the big day so I’m sure he’ll be keener than most to get the season underway.
“He’s a gun batsman so we’re looking forward to seeing him back out there.”
Having finished sixth in division two last season, Ecklin club president Troy Logan is hopeful his side can sneak into the finals race this year, going into the new season with a mix of older, more experienced players and upcoming juniors.
“It’s an exciting time for our club heading into round one,” Logan said.
“We’ve got a few of the older, more experienced players sticking together for another season and they will combine well with several of our upcoming juniors who are showing plenty of talent and potential.”
Logan said he was keen to see the junior brigade take to the crease in some division two and three games this year after a solid pre-season.
“We’ve been training now for six or seven weeks at the indoor facility at Mortlake and have been concentrating on honing on our skills. One of our biggest strengths this year will be the juniors coming through; it’s an exciting time.”
Ecklin will travel and take on Simpson this Saturday.
“If we’re to play finals, and that’s no doubt the aim of all clubs, we will need to get some early wins on the board.”
Having finished runners-up to Simpson last season, Princetown is looking for redemption in season 2022-23.
“We’re very much a social club but losing last season’s grand final is still in the memory bank and we’ll be hoping to go one further this year,” club president Drew Kordupel said.
“We have similar numbers to last season and will field a side in division two and three but like so many others in the heart of dairy country, it’s quite a task to get two sides out there this side of Christmas.
“Fortunately division three doesn’t start until next week when our div two has the bye so that is ideal for us.”
Set to face division one champions Heytesbury Rebels this weekend, Cobden coach Matthew Boyle said his side was eager to see where they were at after a strong pre-season.
“Round one is the time to play the reigning champs because it will give us a good indication of where we’re at,” Boyle said.
“We are fortunate to have so many numbers at our club, and so many promising juniors who, within the next two or three weeks, will be knocking on the door to have a crack at division one.
“We have always focused on developing our youth and we have a good group of promising juniors coming through the ranks.”
Boyle said the Cobden club was a “good one to be around at the moment” with spirits high and players of all grades keen to get back on the pitch.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm around the club and the community has really embraced it which is great to see. We’re looking forward to a great season both on and off the field.”