By Oliver Lees
Young and old have joined forces in Woodend to form an unusual third senior cricket side in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association.
Woodend had to dip into its junior program to pull together enough players to take to the field during their first game of the season against Rupertswood last weekend.
A total of five under-13s boys players took part in the Saturday contest after finishing their junior matches earlier that day.
Angus Black, James Gray, Harry White, Luke Cameron and Fynn Raco all tried their hand with the bat and ball in the 35 over contest, where Woodend was ultimately unable to chase Rupo’s total of 6-196.
In his first senior match, under-13s player Cameron provided some stability in the middle of the order with 15 runs.
Woodend also dipped into its most experienced reserve of players, calling on 70-year-old Dave Bower, who hadn’t played a senior match in 15 years.
Bower provided a useful 13 runs in a productive opening partnership with Steve Rollinson, who high-scored for Woodend with 24.
Woodend finished its innings with a total of 1-119.
Woodend captain Stewart Black said he was glad to be able to throw a team together despite the loss.
“We’re just happy for the kids to make up the numbers so we can actually get a game,” Black said.
“We made sure in our esky this week, instead of all beers, we had some Pepsi Maxs for them to have after the game as well.”
Black said he felt the club might be battling for numbers the whole season.
“This is our third season now with COVID-19 related interruptions,” he said.
“Three years ago we didn’t play finals because [the pandemic] just started. And then last season, the season started late as we were coming out of lockdown and the exact same thing happened this season.
“I think a lot of people are not playing because they’ve found other things to do, I’ve run into a few teams that have said the same thing.”
According to a statement from GDCA, the association and other country associations have experienced a downturn in interest in the sport.
Despite that, Black said there were plenty of positives to take from their first hit out.
A notable highlight, he said, was when his son, Angus, took his first senior wicket.
Black said it was particularly special given that it was a fellow under-13s player that caught the errant cover drive from the Rupo batsmen.
“I was never going to be able to move fast enough to catch it, but the young guy was quicker and got there,” Black said.
“We think that might be the lowest combined age for a wicket in Woodend senior cricket.”
