Tara Murray
Gellibrand is embracing an early litmus test in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield.
Having been promoted this season after winning the division 4 premiership last season, Gellibrand is facing a raft of new challenges this season.
Having had their first two games washed out, Gellibrand is now in the middle of a game against Caroline Springs.
Gellibrand coach James Ryan said Caroline Springs was again one of the teams to beat this season.
“It’ll be an indicator of where we are at,” he said. “They’ve built a strong program and we look up to them.
“They’ve done a lot of work and they are a really good side.”
After day one of the match, Ryan said they were happy with how things were placed.
Gellibrand was bowled out for 167 in the 59th over.
“We were in a lot of trouble,” he said. “We were 5-60 or 5-70 at one stage.
“To scrap together 170 the boys did a good job and didn’t roll over.”
Having taken 3-9 before their first match was washed out, Gellibrand was again in the wickets early.
The Falcons will resume at 3-18 on day two.
Ryan said the wicket had a bit more in it than they thought it did and were able to get something out of it.
He said early wickets on day two would now be the focus.
“Hopefully we can create 10 chances and take them and stop them from getting 170.”
Ryan said they had really worked on their bowling in the off season.
He said Callum Doyle had a good first spell while Riley Beer was another that had done a lot of hard work in the off season.
Gellibrand has kept most of last season’s premiership side together which has been a huge boost going up a grade.
Steve Sandy, a Vanuatu under-20 player, has joined the club and brings plenty of enthusiasm into the side.
Suraj Weerasinghe, who joined the club last season from Moonee Valley, has taken on the wicketkeeping role and batting in the middle order.
In other results, Kingsville is 0-12 in reply to Point Cook Centrals’ 146.
Ali Akbar took three wickets for Kingsville.
In the Evans-Clark Shield, St Andrew’s Footscray is 1-12 in reply to Roxburgh Park.
Both teams suffered losses in round two despite day two being washed out.
Footscray Angliss will need early wickets against the Melton South Royals.
Womajo Wotu top scored as Footscray Angliss made 168.
The Royals will resume at 1-68.
Laverton made 196 against Seabrook before being bowled out in the 61st over.
Seabrook will resume at 2-31.
