Gellibrand is finding its feet in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield.
It has been an off season of change for Gellibrand which is playing in its third different division in the space of three seasons.
Gellibrand president Mark Keating said the group was learning as they went along.
“It has been a bit of a challenge,” he said. “We are 2-2.
“We have got a number of new players and we have a new captain-coach.
“It’s a bit of a challenge but it’s early days and they are looking competitive.”
Keating said they had lost about half the side from the team that guided it to a division 3 premiership last season.
Many of that side had been part of the division 4 side that won the grand final in 2023-24 as well.
“You’re never quite sure how the team will look with so many new players,” Keating said.
“We were beaten badly against West Coburg but otherwise we haven’t been too bad.
“We’ve gone up two divisions in two seasons and we hope everyone performs and the aim is to be competitive.”
Keating said they would get a true idea of where they’re at in the next few weeks ahead of the Christmas break.
Before that, Gellibrand and Keating will be focusing on the side’s match with Williamstown CYMS which is currently underway.
The CYs won the toss and decided to bat on Saturday, making 235 before being bowled out in the 76th over.
Patrick Wood top scored with 47, while Miles Bradshaw finished 45 not out after coming in at number nine.
Brayden Macdonald took 6-76 for Gellibrand.
Keating said they would have liked to have kept the CYs to a bit less, but with a small ground and a good wicket they were confident in chasing the runs down.
Gellibrand had to face one over at the end of day one and will resume at 0-0.
“You never want to face overs at the end of the day,” Keating said. “Not losing a wicket was a positive.”
Keating said overall things were going well for the club with 15 sides across their junior and senior programs.
In other matches, Newport-Digman is 0-17 in reply to Grand United’s 259. Shannon Evans took four wickets for the Bulls.
Williamstown Imperials piled on 270 against Sunbury with Luke Reid top scoring with 65 at the top of the order.
Sunbury will resume at 1-22.
West Newport made 151 against PEGS with Luke Friend top scoring with 80.
PEGS will resume at 2-65.
