Reigning premiers Gisborne are focused on getting off to a strong start to the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season.
The Dragons started slowly last season before finding their best form at the back end of the season to make it back-to-back premierships.
With the core group returning, captain-coach Jarryd Vernon is confident what they can do this season.
“We should be pretty strong again which is pretty good,” he said. “We’ve picked up a couple and lost a couple as well.
“We’re hoping to be strong again and things have worked out really well.”
Obus Pienaar is the biggest signing for the Dragons and one of the biggest signings in the competition’s history.
Pienaar has played nearly 100 first class matches in South Africa and recently played in the USA’s Major League Cricket competition where he was coached by Australian legend Ricky Ponting.
Vernon said they were excited to see what the batter could do.
“It’s nice to have him on board and we’re keen to see how he goes,” he said. “It’s massive for the competition.
“I’ll sit at the non-strikers end and watch him do his thing.”
Closer to home, the Dragons have added a favourite son while picking up two experienced cricketers who have moved to the area.
Jay King returns after a season off and will boost the bowling line up.
Vernon said it was nice to have him back.
“He had a year off and he missed it,” he said. “He’s played in several grand finals and a lot of games for the club.”
Brenton Cook, who played for Melton in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association last season, and Paul Sammut, who played for Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior club Aberfeldie last season, have both joined the Dragons.
After moving to the town, both reached out to the club about joining them adding more experience to the group.
Josh Brown, one of their two English imports from last season, is returning but Josh Wills isn’t.
Will Mackay is the other out for the Dragons as he takes a year off cricket.
Vernon said they were still keen to bring through some more juniors into the side.
“We have a good group coming through in the under-17s which is nice,” he said. “They might get a chance this year.
“We’ve still got Mark Barake, Harry Luxmoore, Spencer Jones who are in the first XI. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do this year.
“We had a good list last year and they can take the next step this year.”
The Dragons start their season with clashes against Rupertswood and Romsey.
Vernon said there had been a focus on starting strong
“I’ve put the boys under the pump to start well,” he said. “The boys have been putting in the work since the start of July and we’re really looking forward to round one.
“We knew we have done the work and we’ll put our best foot forward.”
Tara Murray
