Yarraville Club has had to take its game up a level in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association women’s competition this season.
The Clubbers made a grand final in their first season, exceeding all expectations, and are keen to go one step further.
Captain-coach Caetlyn Grossett said the group had come a long way in 12 months ago when many had never played before.
For many it was a chance to play a sport in the football off-season.
“It’s really good,” she said. “We came in last year and wanted to see how we would go and about four or five rounds in we thought we might have a chance to make finals.
“Everyone enjoyed it and that is when you generally get the results.
“The girls are hoping to make the grand final again and win the grand final.”
Grossett said they had kept most of last season’s squad together.
She said while a few players had stepped away due to other commitments, they would fill in when needed.
Natalie Cheesley and Elizabeth Buckley have both joined the club.
“Natalie has been around the club with both her brothers playing and she was happy to come across,” Grossett said.
“Elizabeth played with Williamstown CYMS and they don’t have a team anymore.
“She reached out as she knew someone at the club and came to a practice match and bonded with the girls.
“She’s a left arm bowler, which is handy to have.”
This season the Clubbers are playing in the Geoff Law Shield competition.
While the competition has been seen as the top competition in recent years, Grossett said this season the competitions are more based on where sides are based and whether they are willing to travel.
It means the group is facing sides they haven’t played before opening some new challenges.
The Clubbers sit 1-1 after four rounds with the past two matches, including on Sunday, being washed out.
“We played Moonee Valley in the second game and lost,” Grossett said.
“It was a bit of an eye opener as we only lost one game during the regular season in round one and won every game after that except the grand final.
“A loss early in the season shows where we need to tighten our skills and make improvements.”
Grossett said the focus of the group was to continue to improve each season.
She said her five year plan was to have a side in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association competition along with a more social team still in the NWMCA to provide options for everyone who wants to play.
