Altona Cricket Club is reaping the rewards of a decision to invest heavily in youth.
The A’s, recognising three years ago the potential of the youngsters on their list, were eager to fast-track their transition from junior to senior ranks by ramping up the club’s development program.
The process is still being carried out through coaches Mark Mitchell, Craig Duff and Mike Davenport.
With the young guns featuring prominently, they had smiles on their dials on Saturday after Altona’s eight-wicket win over Brighton in a one-day sub-district south-west game at Grant Reserve.
A’s skipper Shane Jones says the coaches are playing a big role in the side’s progress.
“They’ve coached the club for three years now,” he said. “Those 15 year olds are now 18 and those 16 and 17 year olds are 19 and 20. The faith they’ve put into the young guys is paying off now. The boys are really standing up.”
There was a bit of a sink-or-swim mentality about the A’s on Saturday and, thankfully, the youngsters kept their heads above water.
Medium-pacers James Grubb (3-24) and Shannon Clarke (2-19) and left-arm spinner Stefan Sidari (3-10) all bowled into the wind to great effect.
The Wickers were bowled out for 114 in 33.4 of a maximum 34 overs on a rain-affected day.
Irrespective of the conditions, the A’s attack stuck to the bowling plans and had Elsternwick on the back foot early.
“It was a bit of a green seamer, but I think the boys just bowled really well to be honest,” Jones said.
“I always talk about spreading the load and they’ve been great, the three quicks and the young spinner. They’re bowling very well at the moment.”
Altona reached the target comfortably with eight wickets in hand.
Aaron Maynard had a licence to attack from the word go and made 68, while Adam Brown was a fine support act with 26 not out.
The A’s has won two of their opening three matches but face an arch-rival, Werribee, that is in red-hot form away at Chirnside Park in a two-day game starting Saturday.
Williamstown’s clash with Hoppers Crossing and Yarraville’s date with Malvern were called off due to morning rain on Saturday that caused the grounds to be unplayable.
This weekend, Williamstown hits the road to Caulfield in search of its first win while Yarraville is away to Oakleigh.
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