Tara Murray
Williamstown Congs have put out a call to arms after a tough start to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield season.
The Congs have two senior men’s teams this season, but have struggled to field both sides week in, week out.
With that they’ve had some tough results, with their first XI side yet to have a win.
The club will have a meeting on December 5 to discuss the club’s future.
President Peter Thursfield said it has been really tough and selection each week was a challenge.
“We have a list of 34 players, but we’re still trying to fill two sides,” he said. “Most people who are at the club have moved out of the area and we’ve been trying to get local people involved.
“We’ve put fliers out in mail boxes and everything. We need players.”
Thursfield said they have good facilities while they are a real family club. He said speaking with some other local clubs, they’re also struggling to get numbers to fill all their sides.
There four Williamstown clubs in local competitions, while two more in nearby Newport.
Thursfield said they decided to have a meeting to raise awareness of the situation and hopefully attract some new people to the club, along with others who moved away for various reasons..
“Anyone can come down and get involved in a community cricket club,” he said. “There’s always things to do, even come down and watch.
“We’re reaching out to the community that we are here and want people to get involved.”
Thursfield said the club also wanted to get juniors and women’s cricket back up and going and are hoping people will get on board to help them with that.
On field, coach Reg Mustafa said the side was still coming together.
“We’ve lost a few players from last season and not quite up to it,” he said. “We lost four of our first XI players, almost half a side.
“Guys are coming up from the twos. We’re not playing to our potential at the moment.
“I think we’re capable of being competitive, we’re just not there yet. We have to gel a bit more and try and put it all together.”
The Congs were one of the unlucky ones on Saturday as rain washed out day two of the round six of matches.
The Congs were one of three teams across the six senior men’s sides to have conceded first innings points on day one.
Mustafa said it was a bad day for the side.
The Congs have a bye this weekend.
Mustafa said they’ll look to regroup and hopefully get a win on the board in the final round before Christmas.
“We want to stabilise the side and be a unit and see how we’re doing,” he said. “The committee is working hard to try and attract some new players and sponsors.
To join the club, contact Peter on 0434 381 560 or go to the club’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/willycongs
