Sunshine Heights’ focus on bringing through its young stars in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association continues.
With a strong junior program, Heights has seen more of those players step into the senior ranks.
Heights president Giulio Venditti said it was exciting for the club.
“We’ve got some new recruits and new kids playing,” he said.
“We’ve continued the momentum with the kids and recruited some older players to be like mentors.
“Our under-17s have won premierships the last two seasons and they are now ready for senior cricket.
“It can be challenging at times with first year players. It’s a lot about growth and learning so there will be challenges throughout the year.”
Venditti said they’d had five players set up from juniors in to seniors this season, with most playing in the top two sides.
He said it was about them getting confidence in senior cricket, making some runs and taking wickets and looking to push them towards the top side either this season or into the future.
For many of the youngsters, it’s the first time they have played full two-day cricket which presents a new challenge.
“They would usually play 25-30 overs in junior level and it increases in under-17s,” Venditti said.
“There’s a lot more two-day cricket and you have to concentrate for a lot longer. They’ve never played 80 over cricket at junior level.
“It’s a fitness and mental thing. A few are getting used to it being their second year.”
Heights has started the Clark Shield season with three losses.
Venditti said before the weekend’s match they were competitive in the first match and it could have been either way being a one-dayer against Laverton.
It then lost to East Coburg in the second game in a two-dayer.
“It could have gone either way against Laverton, but their older heads got them over the line,” he said.
“We were in it for about 30 overs [each innings].
“In the two-dayer we faced East Coburg which I think is the team to beat this season.
“They got knocked off in the grand final last year.
“T was a learning curve.”
Heights was set to face Pascoe Vale Central on Saturday in a one-dayer.
It was another tough day for the Heights.
They were bowled out for 117 with Pascoe Vale Central finishing 2-118 in reply.
Venditti said they were an unknown side coming up from the lower division.
He said while it hadn’t been the start they were after, they were still focused on what they wanted to achieve this season.
“We are still planning on planning to make finals,” he said. “We want to get better every game and see what happens.
“Results will then look after itself from this week going forward but there’s more do.
“We’re a bit more confident and things are looking good.”
Meanwhile, Sunshine YCW lost to Seabrook.
The Cougars made 7-191 before Seabrook made the runs in the final over, finishing 4-192.
