General News
3 February, 2021
Rebels preparing for Bookaar challenge
HEYTESBURY Rebels coach Simon Harkness has conceded his side failed to adapt to the conditions as it slumped to a shock loss at Terang last Saturday.
HEYTESBURY Rebels coach Simon Harkness has conceded his side failed to adapt to the conditions as it slumped to a shock loss at Terang last Saturday.
The Rebels suffered a 72 run defeat against the Goats, with the side falling to fourth on the ladder in the process.
Only one Rebels’ batsman, Tom Hunt (12), reached double figures as the visitors were bundled out for 63 in pursuit of Terang’s 7/135.
Harkness said his side was disappointed with its performance, which he considered its equal worst effort of the season.
“It was really disappointing to drop a game we needed to win,” he said.
“We didn’t play well at all so we got what we deserved so we can’t really complain.
“It was probably an equal performance to when we played Bookaar earlier in the year, we just didn’t get going with the bat and we dropped away quickly.
“It was a slow pitch and we didn’t adapt to it quick enough – on turf you need to read it and adapt real quickly but we weren’t able to do that.”
With just four games remaining, Harkness is confident the Rebels can rediscover its best cricket at the pointy end of the season.
He believes his side is good enough to feature in the four, but knows it must win matches against Bookaar, Noorat and Pomborneit to be considered a worthy chance.
“The next month is huge. If we’re good enough we’ll make and if we make it I think we’re good enough (to go deep),” Harkness said.
“If we don’t it will be back to the drawing board, but I think we’re good enough although we’ll have to wait and see with some tough games coming up.”
Harkness said his side would be focused on both playing well and winning against the Pelicans, knowing if they perform strongly a win is more likely.
He wants his batsmen to better support his bowlers, who have been shining throughout the campaign.
“I feel that we haven’t been playing badly but if you’re playing well they (playing well and winning) probably go hand-in-hand,” Harkness said.
“In saying that we’ve been bowling tremendously, we just haven’t been making enough runs.
“I don’t think Heytesbury or Bookaar will be too worried about the last time they played each other because both will be focused on winning this weekend as it’s such a big game.”
Meanwhile Cobden will be hoping to end a two game losing slump when it hosts Terang in a day-night fixture this Saturday.
The Knights have been dealt back-to-back losses by Heytesbury Rebels and Mortlake respectively and will be eager to return to the winners list against the Goats.
Terang, as previously mentioned, is coming off a strong victory over the Rebels but the Knights won the pair’s clash earlier in the season.
Paul Pekin (6/24), Benallack (52) and Jack Hutt (26) were Cobden’s best performers in the loss to Mortlake, with the trio expected to play key roles this weekend.
Simpson will hit the road to take on Pomborneit, with the Bulls moving to third following a win over Bookaar last Saturday.
The Tigers on the other hand are still searching for its second victory of the season, with the side defeated by Noorat last weekend.
Tom Marshall (5/41), Tanner Fratantaro (31) and Darcy Leishman (20 and 2/30) all made strong contributions against the Steamrollers but the Tigers fell 93 runs short.
In the remaining game, Mortlake will take on Camperdown at D.C. Farran Oval, with Noorat to have the bye.