Dan Roddis knows what it’s like to not only play in a struggling side, but lead one.
The former Ocean Grove captain/coach is now just enjoying playing, but this season it’s even more fun.
The Grubbers were relegated from the BPCA’s A1 Grade competition last season, but so far, life in A2 Grade has been good with the side sitting in 2nd place.
The recruitment of Campbell Snookes, Connor Weidemann and Baljinder Singh Brar has meant the Grubbers have more batting depth, allowing the likes of Shaun Fankhauser, Fletcher Long and Roddis more security at the top of the order.
Roddis is flourishing in his new role as opener with 232 runs at 33.14. Normally a dasher, Roddis has adopted a more cautious approach this season and credited the side’s batting depth as a reason why.
“If I fail or Fletch (Long) fails, you know that someone in the middle – Zac (Jones) and Snookesy, Connor, Baljinder – one of them will make a score,” he said.
“And then if they don’t, we’ve still got Jake Taylor and Corey Buxton at eight and nine. Both blokes who have batted in our top four previously and they can’t even get in the top six.
“It’s a really good feeling to have. The whole thing this year is about contributions, everybody contributing. It doesn’t need one bloke to carry the team on his shoulders.”
Ocean Grove goes into day two of its round 8 clash on Saturday against Portarlington defending 297 at Ray Menzies Oval.
Fankhauser (72), Snookes (69), Long (66) and Roddis (48) all made hefty contributions on the opening day last Saturday.
Roddis said his change of mindset towards batting came with the responsibility of opening.
“I’ve sort of had to,” he said.
“Not looking to score at a run a ball every game like I was previously. Don’t get me wrong, I still, every now and then have a little brain fade and I try to hit the good ball that’s nipping away for six and end up playing and missing, but it’s slowly getting better.
“I didn’t think I’d actually enjoy leaving the ball or kicking the ball back for a few overs to get my eye in. It’s something that was pretty foreign to me, especially in the first two-day game, just kicking a few balls back.”
Despite the big score, Roddis knows that Portarlington is a strong batting side and victory will not come easily.
“They’ve got some quality bats,” he said.
“I think he’s (Paul McGrath) the leading run scorer in the history of the BPCA, batting at four or five. Tooley’s (Brenton Toole) a good stick too. Cam Gourley’s already made a couple of scores this year.
“They’ve got fire power. We’ve got to bowl well. Regardless if you’ve got 150 on the board or you’ve got 300 on the board, you still have to bowl well to win the game.”
ALL other A2 Grade matches were played last Saturday and Sunday to go into the break a week early.
THE competition’s batters might have been scurrying around checking the fixture as Wallington unleashed English paceman Tom Spencer.
Spencer will play five games for the Wallabies and bowled with venom late on Saturday to eventually take 7/19 against Surf Coast.
Wallington was all out for 127 on day one and then Spencer wreaked havoc to have the Suns 5/50 at the close of play.
Mitch Sleeman broke through early on day two to have the Suns 6/50, but Will Liddle (24) gave them a sniff.
Spencer then ran through the tail – Surf Coast all out for 95.
Wallington had another hit and was 5/93 at the close with Richard Faust getting 63 from 60 deliveries.
AN unbroken 93-run stand between Stan Grazotis (59 not out) and Corey Walter (55 not out) saw Collendina home after it was 5/57 chasing St Leonards’ 147.
Grazotis had a player-of-the-match performance, also picking up 3/37 from 16.4 overs on day one.
Troy Griffin (40 from 34 balls) was again among the runs for the Saints while James Burns took 3/44 from 22 overs.
WINCHELSEA defeated Newcomb to hold top spot going into the break.
Ricci Sauni (4/37) helped dismiss the Bulls for 127 and a 112-run second-wicket stand between Jarrod Groves (65) and Mark Simons (59) got Winch to 5/202 when play ended.
