After a slow start to the season, Woodend is starting to find its feet in Gisborne and District Cricket’s McIntyre Cup.
In what is expected to be one of the closest competitions in a long time, Woodend has won twice in the first four rounds.
Speaking before last weekend’s match against Romsey, Woodend coach Warren Else said the side was starting to improve.
“We’ve been a bit scratchy early on,” he said. “Our game against Riddell [the previous week] was our best of the season. It was a well-rounded performance whereas we’d been reliant on individual performances.”
Else said not being able to put their best team on the pitch had also been an issue.
“We have a core of 14 players, but we haven’t had out best team on the park yet,” he said. “Adam [Johnstone] did his hammy in the first week, which really hurt us as he’s our best bat, our wicketkeeper and our captain. Missing players makes it hard, but we’re on the right track.”
Else said missing players had given others an opportunity.
“Tommy Robson has been playing for a while but he’s coming on, making runs and taking wickets,” he said.
“My brother Kieran has kept for a couple of games. Tom Boyer has had his first senior game at just 15, having played well in the seconds and juniors.”
Johnstone returned to the side on Saturday for day one of the match against Romsey.
His presence was vital as he top-scored with 49 in Woodend’s 167, while Else chipped in with 46.
James Morley also returned, which limited the impact of missing the Eastleys, Daniel and Josh, who were at a wedding. Else says wins at this point of the year are already important.
“Because the competition is so even you have to take every opportunity. If you can knock off one of the top teams it puts them behind the eight ball.”
Else says he’s enjoying his first year back coaching the side.
“It’s about helping get the young fellows ready to take over my spot in the next couple of years.”
In reply, Romsey was 1-16 at stumps.
In other games, Sunbury is 0-22 chasing Diggers Rest’s 173, while Riddell is 0-19 needing 163 for victory against Sunbury United.
And Gisborne, needing only 86 to beat Bacchus Marsh, was in strife at 6-49.
