WEST Gambier will be out for redemption when it pads up for the opening round of the 2018-19 Barber Shield cricket season on Saturday.
The Roos finished second on the premiership ladder last year, but a below average batting performance in the semi-final against eventual premiers Penola saw the side miss out on the big game.
That clash saw West take to the crease on day one to score just 86 runs from 50.4 overs, before Penola came out on the second day to easily amass a winning total of 108, losing just three wickets.
But the Roos will not dwell on the past and with Jake Blackwell joining Niall Easterbrook in the captaincy role this year, the club has its eyes set on the title.
“We had a bad day in the semi-final (last year),” Easterbrook said.
“Our batting let us down.
“Hopefully we can get into the grand final (this year) and hopefully win it.”
Despite patches of sunshine, the persistent rain has not allowed much practice in the season lead up.
However, all clubs are in the same boat and Easterbrook remains quietly confident heading into West’s season opener against South Gambier.
“We have not had much of a hit yet, but they (South) have not either,” he said.
“It is a bit hard to tell, you do not know who’s got who until we get out there.
“Hopefully we can have a good win and get one and zip, before a couple of blokes come back in a couple of rounds.”
With no apparent losses to the A Grade lineup, a key focus for the Roos – like many clubs – will be on the juniors stepping up.
“We are aiming to push through a few more juniors,” Easterbrook said.
“That’s the idea, to see if we can get the Under 16’s to come up and try and learn from guys like Richard Crute and Ben Hentschke.”
Josh Cornolo will be one youngster to watch, after he performed in the Barber Shield competition for West last season.
“He performed really well for us, so he will definitely be in the A Grade,” Easterbrook said.
Connor Prior is another Under 16 who will be looked to for seniors again this year, providing Adelaide commitments do not interfere.
Easterbrook also mentioned Alex Hill as a possible up-comer, along with new Under 16 recruit Will Glover from Perth.
Another recruit is Tasmanian Curtis King and Easterbrook expects the two newcomers to slot into A or B Grade. In terms of improvement this season, Easterbrook pointed out some areas which
will need to be worked on if the Roos are to go all the way in 2018-19.
“We definitely need to work on our fielding,” he said.
“We dropped way too many catches last year.
“And our batting needs to improve.
“Our bowling, with the likes of Richard Crute, Sam Willis, Josh Cornolo and Ben Hentschke, it is pretty strong.
“But as it showed in the semi-final last year, making 86 is nowhere near enough for a final.”
Easterbrook hopes to see an even contribution in all areas of West’s game this year, as it chases premiership glory.
