Tara Murray
Williamstown is bullish about its chances in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west this season.
After a disappointing 2021-22 where the Seagulls missed finals, the team is hoping to bounce back this season.
Seagulls secretary Jordan Doyle said the playing group was keen to get out there and play. The first two weekends of action were cancelled due to rain.
“It has been a long pre-season and we’re ready to play,” Doyle said. “We think we will be more than competitive and we think this group [east-west] will suit us.
“Last time we played in this group we won the flag. We want to get back to playing finals.”
Doyle said they had looked to add a couple of players to fill some needs they had.
Jack Craig joins the club after two seasons with Melbourne in Victorian Premier Cricket. He’s a top order bat who also bowls off spinner and is an excellent fielder.
Doyle said Craig would fill the spot left void by Brent McMinn, which they didn’t replace last season.
Fraser Hay returns to the Seagulls having spent the last couple of seasons with Footscray in premier cricket.
Doyle said it was a welcome return for Hay to the club.
“He’s a bit older and stronger and he will be an opening bowler for us,” he said.
“It’s been a tough few years for him. He travels from Ballarat and we’re rapt to have him back and he’s a great club man.
“He’s been here since he was 15 and it’s not just him, but his whole family.”
Bowler Jackson Sleep has made the move down from Wendouree and is pushing for a spot in the first XI, as will Krish Kumar who played in the Seagulls second XI last season.
On the other side, Matt Twentyman will miss at least the first half of the season, while Pat O’Malley has moved to England for work.
Doyle said it would open up more opportunities for others to step up.
“The second side has been competitive for a long time and looks pretty strong again,” he said.
“We have a lot of young players in the thirds and fourths.
“Our junior numbers continue to be really strong and we’ll have more juniors pushing into the senior sides as we look to play finals in all four grades.”
Doyle said the return to two-day cricket would suit the side as well. He said last season they weren’t that far off, with a lot of close losses.
The Seagulls will be hoping to get underway this Saturday after the two first weekends were cancelled due to wet weather.
The association has changed the fixture to ensure no matches are lost due to the delayed start to the season.
The round two two-dayer will become a one-dayer starting on October 22, while round one will be played as a one-dayer this Saturday.
The Seagulls will face Donvale this Saturday. In other matches, Altona will play Croydon, Spotswood will host Werribee and Hoppers Crossing will play Yarraville.
