Melton Centrals are taking the positives out of a tough season on field in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Russell Pollock Shield competition.
The side is without a win in the division 5 competition and have been on the wrong end of some big losses.
Centrals’ senior cricket manager Grahame Blackwell said the season hadn’t been what they had hoped for.
“Far from it,” he said. “It’s been a disappointing season.
“Unavailabilities have killed us. Steve Robertson, who is our keeper-bat has only played two games for the season with a bad back.
“Our two main bowlers from last season Kieran Bensley and Chris Willoughby, have both had the year off after having babies.
“Three of our top five players have been missing so that makes a big difference. We really didn’t get to recruit the players we would have liked. Being the bottom side in the bottom division makes it hard to get people to come across.”
Blackwell said while they had struggled at times, there were still plenty of positives with the next generation coming through.
He highlighted Adam Dreaver, Jairaj Chauhan, Charlie Housen, Aranweer Singh and Vansh Sankat as five players who have impressed when given the chance.
“We’ve blooded them in senior cricket, into turf cricket,” he said.
“We had half a dozen or eight players who are 13,14,15, or 16 that have played senior cricket in our ones or twos.
“While it’s been a tough season, we can hang out hats on that.”
Blackwell said they hoped by giving them the opportunity it would help them and the club in the short term and encourage other younger players to come across.
The club’s junior program is thriving and they hope it will only be short term pain.
“We have 25 junior teams this season,” he said. We had one team int he VTCA UNDER-18S last season,this season we have two.
“We’ve got junior girls and got women’s back up and going.”
Centrals played Glenroy on the weekend in a Saturday-Sunday clash.
Blackwell said they were set to have players with missing, with some only available for one day.
It was another tough weekend as the side lost outright.
Centrals were bowled out for just 45 with Adam Housen the only player to reach double figures, with 11.
Glenroy quickly made 7-147 before sending Centrals back in.
Housen was the only player to score above six, finishing with 22 as Centrals were bowled out for 47.
While the first XI is struggling, Blackwell said their second XI is still n the finals race and could provide a bright light for the season.
In other results, Burnside Springs United got an outright win against Wyndham Vale.
The Vales were bowled out for just 37 with Burnside making 4-175 in reply.
Sending the Vales back in, Burnside bowled them out for 104.
Burnside sits four points clear on top of the ladder with the 10 points.
