Tara Murray
The ongoing delays in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association have left some uncertainty at Lancefield.
The first four Saturdays have been called off due to heavy rain leaving many grounds unplayable.
While some juniors and the women’s competition have played one round, matches have been few and far between.
Tigers’ president Andrew Richardt said it had been a frustrating start to the season. The Tigers men’s and women’s sides both had byes on the weekend, with the lower grades and the women’s competition not playing due to the long weekend.
“It’s been frustrating for our senior men not to be able to get out there,” Richardt said. “Our women’s and under-15s had some luck last weekend.
“It’s hard to get a gauge on numbers and who is available each week..
“Up until cup weekend it can be a bit hard to field teams. We’ve only had four training sessions so far.
“It’s been hard to understand how things will go in the coming weeks.”
Richardt said they had been able to get a few players to the club this season as they again fielded two men’s sides and two women’s sides.
He said that people were wanting to come to the club.
“We had two sides play in finals last year and it’s good to have a few extra new local players,” he said.
“Guys who have moved to the area and it makes a huge difference. It goes in swings and roundabouts with getting people through the club.
“Guys who have gone to other clubs or decided not to play, are always welcome back.”
Richardt said with the uncertainty of the season and when it would start, meant they were unsure how they would approach the season.
He said he had spoken with the association’s Rob McIntyre about the possibility of the fixture changing and reverting some games back to one-dayers, but was unsure what was happening.
The top side finished runners-up last season in the Jensen Shield which they are again playing in this season.
“We don’t know what it is going to look like week to week,” Richardt said. “We don’t know whether we look to give some of the guys who have been around the club for a number of years a go at higher cricket or go down the competitive nature and stack the sides.”
The success of the club’s women’s program continues to be a highlight for the club. The club is leading the way in the GDCA with two senior sides.
“Our women’s teams have nine to 11 players in each,” Richardt said. “The main reason we have for the two teams is the pathways for the juniors.
“We have six juniors playing seniors. We have close to 50 per cent women’s participation at the club and I don’t think you’ll find many clubs in Victoria or Australia with that except for wholly women’s clubs.”
The Tigers men’s are set to face Bacchus Marsh this Saturday, while their women’s yellow side is set to play Aintree and the women’s black side Darley.
