By Trevor Jackson
LESS than one point separated West Gambier from its 2019-20 Hoggies Wines Barber Shield finals aspirations, just bundled out of fourth place by the eventual victors North Sportsman’s.
It was a big blow after a solid year of cricket out at Malseed Park.
For captain Richard Crute it was disappointing but overall he felt the season went well, all things considered.
Much of the final standings came down to the weather, with several games cut short due to rain or the heat.
While it was the same for every side, it appeared to hit West hard.
“Last year we only just missed out on finals and we had a couple of games where we let them slip,” Crute said.
“There were a couple of games where we were right on top and it was either washed out or heated out the second week.
“But then there was that ridiculous game against South where we got bowled out for 40.
“We had them at 9/32 and they managed to get across the line and won outright in the same day.
“The pitch had a bit to do with it but all the conditions suited bowling that day.”
Regardless, Crute is simply focused on the new season, which will see a different lineup, with more senior players in the ranks.
“Our side is probably a bit stronger than in previous years,” he said.
“There are probably more seniors throughout the side rather than relying on the Under 16s to come up this year.
“Some of the young guys are now seniors and we have Jake Blackwell who comes back after a shoulder reconstruction.
“Shane Dycer tells us he is retiring – there are a few bets going around he will play.”
Dycer is currently taking a bit more control at training sessions, which provides the perfect platform to work on different areas of the game.
Overall Crute said the top-order batting lineup would change somewhat but not too drastically.
“Connor Prior will open this year with Jack Geddes, Jake Blackwell at three, myself at four then there is a whole bunch of guys from there,” he said.
“We will probably bat down to nine and the 10 and 11 positions we will try to fill with juniors to bring them through.”
The bowling lineup will see the absence of Josh Cornolo and Dycer but will be boosted by the inclusion of Kyle Chapman.
But despite the changes Crute said the plan for this season was simple.
“It is just about taking early wickets and taking our chances in the field,” he said.
“I think we probably dropped too many chances last year – one game we dropped Dion Stratford on zero and he went on to make 100.
“You have to get those guys out early, then try not to lose early wickets and bat for 80 overs.”
With that simple philosophy in mind, Crute said the opening clash tomorrow against South Gambier at Malseed Park was an exciting prospect.
“I think we match up with them pretty well,” he said.
“There are a couple of key figures – if Somerfield gets going he is always hard to stop and with the ball if Robbie Drenthen gets a couple of early ones and gets his tail up he is also hard to stop.
“But other than that I think the two clubs match up well.”
