Favourite son returns to the Saints

New St Leonards coach Shane Cutajar is congratulated by new president Luke Roberts. (St Leonards CC)

St Leonards hopes of returning to the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade competition has taken a turn for the better with the appointment of a new coach and assistant coach.

Shane Cutajar will cross from Drysdale to take the reins while prolific Drysdale batter Nick Hallam has also moved to Len Trewin Reserve as assistant coach.

Cutajar played in the Saints maiden A Grade flag in 2003-04 and has also played in a premiership with Drysdale.

Cutajar began playing junior cricket for St Leonards in the Under 12s where he took nine wickets for seven runs in one game, including a hat-trick, but it is his batting that he is more well known for.

Cutajar played 134 games for St Leonards and won the Ray Menzies Medal for best player in the competition in 1996-97 and returns after a two-decade absence.

“Welcome home Cutters, it’s been far too long and we can’t wait to see you in action as a Saint once again,” the club said on its Facebook page.

“The current crop of players will love you, and the old past players will all be celebrating upon hearing this news.”

Hallam is well known across the competition as a stylish right-hand batter and will bolster the Saints’ top order.

Meanwhile St Leonards voted in a new president with Luke Roberts now at the helm.

Star bowler James Burns is vice-president, Michael Norris is treasurer and women’s A Grade player Trudi Kyrou is again junior coordinator.