Tara Murray
Sunshine YCW is hoping to carry the momentum of the last Victorian Turf Cricket Association season into this season.
The Cougars first and second XI teams both claimed the premierships last season and will play in the division 4 and division 4 seconds competitions respectively.
Cougars secretary Rory O’Connor said they were keen to get back out on the pitch.
“It’s looking really good,” he said. “We’re very excited by what is to come.
“I think winning a couple of flags helps and we’ve done a lot of work to develop the culture and we want to make off field really good.
“We want to get as many numbers as we can.”
The Cougars have added six or seven players with most of those players under the age of 25.
O’Connor said it meant that there would be plenty of pressure for spots across all the grades.
“Guys will be dropping down the ranks and they will try and keep the retention of their spots.”
Bailey Williamson, a middle order bat, has joined the club from Albury-Wodonga.
Connor Marum joins the club having spent the past eight seasons playing with Coburg at the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
Jarrem Jefferies-Hayes and Charlie Carter both return to the club after playing elsewhere which is a positive sign.
Jefferies-Hayes is a top order bat and Carter is an all-rounder.
O’Connor said it was massive getting former players back to the club.
“Charlie Carter is coming back from Coburg which is good for us, he won a few junior flags with us.
“Hamid Diab had a bit of time off last year for year 12 and is back this season as well. We call him the general for his tactical nouse of depth.”
Having gone up a grade after winning division 5 last season, it will be a new challenge for the group.
O’Connor said it would be interesting to see how they went.
“I think there’s a few differing views,” he said. “[Coach] Lachie [Lewin] to go on with how we’ve been going.
“From my point of view, I’m happy to see how we go. Expectations can keep changing throughout the year.”
The Cougars third side was in action on the weekend as it kicked off its season.
The top two grades had to wait another week with the VTCA making the call that not enough grounds were ready to play on Saturday and cancelled all games.
The match will be played on the catch up round.
Sunshine YCW is now set to start its season this Saturday against Laverton.
Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association also cancelled action on Saturday with round one now a one-dayer this Saturday.
