Sunshine United is hoping the hard work on the training track will start to reflect in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
The Tigers were without a win after six rounds, but rain meant only three rounds had been completed.
Tigers coach James Muirhead said unfortunately the wet start to the season wasn’t a surprise having been the same in recent years.
“It’s nothing new to people playing club cricket in Melbourne,” he said. “It is frustrating cause we all want to have a full and decent day of cricket and not be rain affected.”
Muirhead said they had performed how they would have liked so far this season. He said the group was still working into the season.
“Definitely disappointing in certain areas,” he said. “A few of our players are starting to find their feet still at this level.
“I feel like we’ve got a young mature squad, We’re doing all the right things at training and we’re definitely training harder than everyone else.
“I can only see this paying dividends towards the back end of the season and I have confidence in all our players.
“Everyone is capable enough to perform and to beat any side that we come across.”
Muirhead said they didn’t necessarily aim to have a young side but that was the way it played out.
He said there were always opportunities for any player as long as they were playing well.
“I just look at the present,” he said. “Guys need to keep putting their hands up.”
Muirhead made the move to the Tigers in the off season as he wanted to step back into the coaching ranks.
He said he was enjoying his time at the club.
“It has been brilliant,” he said. “It’s a very good family oriented club and it’s very proud of its history which I do relate for in a club,
“It has been a very easy transition.”
The Tigers were set Westmeadows on the weekend in a two-day clash.
Muirhead had been hoping for a non-rain affected game.
Day one was called off, with the Warriors winning a one-day match on Sunday.
With one more game left before the Christmas break, Muirhead was hoping they would keep building.
“What we’ve been focusing on all year is players taking ownership in their game and wanting to be the man to win the game for the team,” he said.
“I think if we keep taking on that mentality in the games, we’ll be OK.
“It’s more so players believing themselves that they are good enough at this level and that takes time.
“Performances and success takes a little bit of time but when it clicks it can be quite dangerous.”
