SOUTH Gambier did not finish the Barber Shield 2017-18 cricket season with the desired result, but according to vice captain Robbie Drenthen, all is set for a stronger result in 2018-19.
South finished fourth last year, then went down to North Gambier in the first final.
That game saw North reach a formidable 242 runs, with South Chasing valiantly, but falling well short in the end with 163 off 80 overs.
However, Drenthen is confident things can turn around this season, with the return of injured players and a former club A grader.
“Last season was tough, but I thought we developed,” he said.
“We developed some good young kids such as Adam Kuhl, who should take another step this year.
“We also had some injuries – Daniel Loupos hurt his knee in Round 1 and could not play for the rest of the season, Luke Zadow – our captain this year – had shoulder surgery in December which ruled him out for the rest of the year, plus Dylan Clough hurt his knee which ruled him out for about six weeks.
“That made us a bit vulnerable, but we got into finals.
“I did not think we were that far off.”
With that in mind, a couple of key players will miss from last season’s roster, with Bryce Whicker and Matt Bowering both calling it a day.
“Bryce opened the bowling and was pretty important to us,” Drenthen said.
“We have also lost last year’s captain Matt Bowering.
“But we lose them and get back Luke Zadow, plus David Vine has come back from Glencoe.
“He is a great player and good limited overs cricketer.”
Drenthen said the changes would provide a more rounded side, with the bonus of more experience in the young players due to those injuries last season.
He said the likes of Tom McCourt and Max Lockwood benefited from that and would provide some extra depth this year.
“We are happy with how things are going at the moment,” Drenthen said.
“We have been training for a while, but will start to ramp it up now.
“The weather has made it tough, but we have had a few people out here on the bowling machine.
“Everyone is keen to go.”
The season will provide a tough opener for South, with West Gambier first up.
But that is not a problem according to Drenthen.
“This year the first three games are limited overs and we have always felt confident playing limited overs cricket,” he said.
“It will be a good yard stick to where we are at.
“We have some really good hitters, which is probably reflected in our success in the 20/20 competition recently.
“Most sides have the ability to bowl sides out, so it is a matter of who can make the runs.”
South claimed the Twenty/20 honours last season with a solid knock from Drenthen at the top of the order, then some tight bowling to keep North out of the contest.
Whether they can turn that into success in one-day cricket, or even the two-day format remains to be seen.
Either way Drenthen said the side has extra depth this season, which he believes should be enough to push the top teams and be in the hunt at the business end.
