By JIM TIMBERLAKE
WITH THE Sherrins put away for another six months, cricket gear is being dusted off all over Geelong as another season is about to kick off.
The Geelong Cricket Club already have one game under their belt.
With the AFL Grand Final encroaching into October after a late start to the season due to the Cricket World Cup back in March, the Victorian Premier Cricket Association took the opportunity to kick off its season on the public holiday last Friday.
The Cats took on Prahran at home, with a fresh new look after club legend Andre Borovec took over the coaching reigns during the off season, with young gun Eamonn Vines assuming the captaincy role.
Batting first, the home side got off to a good start, Hayden Butterworth (69) looked back to his best after a lean spell last summer, while Joel Davies (59) returned from local club South Barwon to add some class at the top of the order.
Unfortunately, the same problem that occurred last season reared it’s head, as the middle order crumbled to see the Cats finish their 50 overs on 9/225.
In response, the Geelong bowlers struggled to make inroads as Prahran cruised to a nine wicket win with four overs to spare.
This weekend, Geelong travel to Casey/South Melbourne on Saturday for a one day game, before backing up on Sunday at home against Ringwood in another one dayer. In what could prove to be a crucial early season double header, the young squad should be able to bounce back and put some much needed points on the board.
In the Geelong Cricket Association, a somewhat tumultuous off season will be put to bed, and the business of playing cricket can be resumed.
Grant Dew, president for the past six seasons, sensationally resigned from his position in early September, citing personal reasons. As a ripple effect, this saw a flood of resignations, before Barry McFarlane stepped into the role and restored some stability.
Prior to that, the association had reduced the Player Points Cap to 40 after it set it at 45 last season, before reversing their decision and putting it back up to 42.
Division one will comprise the same 12 clubs that competed last season, after none of the division two clubs wanted to come up.
There was however some movement between the second and third division, with Bell Park coming up into the second tier at the expense of Guild St Marys.
In division one, reigning premier St.Josephs look the team to beat again. Their main challengers the past two years in North Geelong and South Barwon look to have lost some key players, Jake and Zac Thorne leaving the Magpies nest, while Joel Davies has left South to head back down to Geelong.
East Belmont welcomes back Sam Scannell, James Menzies is back at Leopold, while Bell Post Hill have appointed Rhys Burke as captain, the young star moving across from St Peters only to unfortunately break his leg playing football which could delay his start.
It will be an intriguing season as the pack attempt to chase down St Josephs.
SOUTH BARWON v Leopold, GEELONG CITY v Newtown & Chilwell, Lara v EAST BELMONT, Bell Post Hill v GROVEDALE, North Geelong v ST JOSEPHS, Murgheboluc v GEELONG WEST
In division two, Marshall will begin their premiership defense without the services of gun Englishman Conor Harvey who hasn’t returned this summer, although they have countered that by signing veteran Shane Skene from Waurn Ponds, the hard hitter hoping to help the Bears go back to back.
St Albans Breakwater welcome Damian Koliba back to the club, fresh from starring in South Barwons Fifth XI premiership last year, while Modewarre have recruited young all rounder Mitch McDonald from East Belmont. Thomson have been hit hard by departures and will look to rebuild.
Modewarre v HIGHTON, Alexander Thomson v MANIFOLD HEIGHTS, Bell Park v MARSHALL, St Peters v TORQUAY, Thomson v ST ALBANS BREAKWATER, Waurn Ponds v NEWCOMB & District.
While the division three grapevine has been quiet, it is with sadness that we report North Shore has had to withdraw from this season’s competition after a lack of off field helpers, combined with a dramatic drop in player numbers, left them with no choice but to sit out.
The club will however spend the summer looking to recruit a side for next season, and anyone looking to get involved should make enquiries,as it would be sad to see such a proud club fall over completely.
WINCHELSEA v Corio, BANNOCKBURN v Corio Bay, Little River v INVERLEIGH, SHELFORD v Guild St Marys, Meredith v LETHBRIDGE, Teesdale Bye.
