AFTER a flawless 2016/17 Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association season, North Sportsmen’s is eager to kick off the upcoming competition on October 14.
North won the 20/20, One Day Cup and A Grade Barber Shield competition last season and will hope to taste similar success this year.
After being the benchmark of the competition in 2016/17, A Grade captain Tim Young said he looked forward to a competitive year.
“We had a very successful season and we are very happy with how it all went last year,” he said.
“We didn’t lose a game, so everyone will be striving for the same thing this year.
“We are just hoping to win as much cricket as possible.”
Young said there was a good culture around the club with both the C Grade and A Grade claiming premierships last season.
“We have had success and now we just want it to keep going,” he said.
North has ensured it will continue its dominance after recruiting well in the off-season.
The Tigers have picked up pace bowler Josh Fidler.
“Fidler is going to be a strong inclusion into our side,” Young said.
“He has been a very good cricketer and has played for the SA Outbacks.
“He is a good person, so he will fit in very well at our club.”
North has also signed Kingston 19-year-old Jack Armfield.
While a majority of the 2016-17 Barber Shield premiership side remains for the upcoming season, Young said there were a selected few who will not play.
“Mitch Lewis – who played A Grade last year – is over in England working and we are not sure that he will be back to play,” he said.
“Dylan Silvy is not coming back this year, he is going to play in Adelaide.”
Stars such as brothers Nick and Matthew McInerney are still in the Barber Shield side, while Young and veteran Michael Silvy are also eager for the season to get under-way.
“We have had a few trainings, but are starting to really get into it this week,” Young said.
“We have had decent numbers and the majority who played last year are playing again this season.
“The A Grade will be a pretty similar team to last year, with maybe a few differences.”
While the Tigers’ B Grade did not make finals last season, Young said there was plenty of talent which could step up to senior level.
“The B Grade didn’t have the best of years last season, but we have a few more numbers now and they will only strive to improve,” he said.
The competition will be slightly different this year, but Young said both he and club were ready for the challenge.
“We are eager to get into it,” he said.
“There is going to be a bye this season with Yahl dropping out of the competition.
“We are starting a little earlier on turf this year and they have scrapped the One Day Cup.
“So it is all a little different to what we are used to, but everyone is still keen as mustard to get into it.”
