Sydenham/Hillside is quickly adjusting to life as a turf cricket club.
Having made the move to the Victorian Turf Cricket Association in the offseason, the club is excited by what lays ahead.
Captain-coach Kane Twentyman said the move was necessary to ensure the club could retain its talented young players.
“The club has been represented in the NWMCA for a long time and has been competitive in the top grade,” he said.
“The club lost a lot of players, and I was one of them. They were losing juniors and players 19-20 year-olds, who wanted to play on turf.
“There’s been a push for a while to move to turf.”
It’s Twentyman’s second season back at the club. In between, he played and captained with then Victorian Sub-district Cricket Association side Sunshine, He returned to Sydenham/Hillside once he knew they would be making the move to turf cricket.
“They committed 18 months ago, and I came back to help set it up,” Twentyman said.
“I still had regular contact … I came back and managed to bring a couple of players with me.”
The Storm started the season with a win in its only completed match, despite the rain-affected start to the season.
On Saturday, they took on another VTCA newcomer Roxburgh Park on day one of their two-day match.
Sydenham/Hillside batted first, making 248, with Dylan Knight top-scoring with 55.
In reply, the Falcons were 1-5 off three overs.
Sunday’s catch-up match from round one ended in a draw.
Batting first, Sydenham/Hillside made 8-130, and Aberfeldie was 0-6 in reply when the rain set in.
Twentyman said the north A1 competition would be interesting, with several new teams in the competition.
“Sunshine I played at [in sub-district] and will be interesting They’re going to be pretty strong and the team to beat.
“Roxburgh Park is another with sub-district experience.
“Myself and a couple of other guys can, hopefully, impart our sub-district influence into the side.”
He said the aim of this season was not to be pushed around.
“I’ve got a personal drive and some KPIs I would like to reach,” Twentyman said.
“I would love to play finals. I want to be as competitive as possible.”
In other north A1 matches, Caroline Springs has already conceded first innings points to Sunshine YCW.
Caroline Springs could only muster 90, before the YCW’s finished day one at 4-109.
Caroline Springs’ captain Kane Sevior was the best for his side, making 36 and taking 2-24.
Caroline Springs’ catch-up match on Sunday was also washed out.
