By Tara Murray
It will be a new-look Gisborne side in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup this season.
While the Dragons, who finished runners-up last season, have kept the core of their group together, there have been several changes throughout the off season.
New coach Gavin Mackay said he was happy with how things looked after a big pre-season.
“I think we will be OK” he said.
“We have picked up a couple of guys who have wandered into town and it will strengthen us. We have a little more depth and the kids have grown another year.”
The big signing for the Dragons is that of Mick Allen.
Allen, who had a year off, has starred at both premier and subbies level, before returning to his local competition a couple of years ago.
Mackay said Allen was keen to get
into it.
“Mick has been at every training and is really keen,” Mackay said.
“I think the opportunity to play in McIntyre and with Riddell not playing McIntyre at that stage, he thought Gisborne might be a good fit.
“We thought he was a good fit for us.”
The Dragons last week announced Englishman Tom Sanders would be joining the club.
Mackay said Sanders is a bowling all-rounder who would add to the side.
On the other side, the Dragons have lost three players from the senior team.
Jay King has gone to Sunbury, Jakson Knight to Spotswood and Recordo Gordon is not returning.
Mackay said older players Jason McDonald and Darren Ward were happy to move down a grade if they could.
As they have the past couple of years, the Dragons will look to give some younger players an opportunity.
“Young Joel Garbutt played in McIntyre last year and is likely to move into the opening bowler role,” Mackay said.
“There’s five or six others who are in the 17, 18, 19 bracket who have mostly been in the seconds.
“Two to three of them will probably being putting their hand up to add depth to the firsts.”
The Dragons start their season on October 5 against Bacchus Marsh.
