Trevor Jackson
WEST Gambier cricketers will look to improve on their last season A Grade effort when the Hoggies Wines Barber Shield kicks off this weekend.
The club will include five grade this season, with Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 17s, B Grade and A Grade.
Last year the A Grade just missed a grad final berth, bundled out in a low-scoring semi-final by East Gambier.
This year the Barber Shield side has some changes, with three players departing, but another three stepping in to fill the void.
Connor Prior has headed to Adelaide, Alex Hill to East and Richard Crute will take some time off due to a new addition to his family.
The club will welcome back Trent Badman as coach, along with Ned Wilke and a Sri Lankan from Melbourne.
For president Tony Geddes it is an exciting year, with everyone at the club keen to kick off on the front foot.
“The young A Grade players are a year older and I think they are starting to realise the ones they miss they won’t get back,” he said.
“It is looking pretty good now we have all the juniors – you always want to keep them coming up.
“It has probably been a couple of years since we’ve had all the juniors.”
That will provide some extra depth for the club, as Geddes said the jump from B Grade to A Grade is significant.
“There are three or four from B Grade who could push for A Grade, which is good,” he said.
“Then you have the Under 17s, so we will try to rotate them a bit.
“There are some good kids there but most of them will probably play in Adelaide.
“They will play their junior cricket Friday night and head to Adelaide, but when they are available we will look to put them in.”
Kyall Chapman will coach the Under 12s, Butch Muhovics the Under 14s and Shane Dycer will take care of the Under 17s, providing plenty of experience for the young players to draw from.
Jake Blackwell will take control on the ground in the A Grade as captain, with a young squad to lead.
While the weather has been a bit damp so far this spring, which has made training tough, Geddes is confident the turf wicket will be ready to go for Saturday’s season opener.
“The boys haven’t been able to train much because of the weather, but I think the start of the season will be okay,” he said.
“If the weather keeps going like it is the turf wicket should be right.
“This week is supposed to be warm, which it needs.”
West kicks off its season with a one-day game against Mil Lel at Malseed Park, starting at 1pm on Saturday.
