Melton South Primary School Cricket Club finished its season in the perfect way – with a win against cross town-rivals Melton Centrals.
While the Royals won’t play finals after coming sixth in Victorian Turf Cricket Association west A1, they will finish the season as one of the in-form teams of the competition, having won their past four games.
Royals president Paul Davies said the last four rounds had given the players confidence they were heading in the right direction.
The Royals only win prior to that had been against County West, which forfeited.
“We knocked off two teams in the top four,” Davies said.
“We’ve got our seconds, thirds and fourths all playing finals so we’re starting to show we have some depth.
“The aim now is to show that form from the start of the season and look to play finals with our firsts.”
The Royals ended the season with a 19-run win against finals bound Centrals.
Having made 9-285 on day one, the Royals restricted the Centrals to 266. James Robertson and Paul Hetherington took three wickets each for the Royals.
For Hetherington, the three wickets went with his 134 knock on day one.
Davies said it was the first time in about five years they’d had someone make a century in the first XI.
“He has been our form player in the ones all season,” he said.
Davies said the club would be aiming to keep this year’s playing squad intact.
They will do it with a new coach, with Blake Ivory standing down after four years.
“Blake has done a fantastic job the last four years,” Davies said. “Each year, at least three sides have made finals. Having been in the role for four years, he’s decided its time for someone with fresh opinions and new ideas to take the firsts to that next level. At this stage he has indicated that he will play on.”
Davies said they would be looking for a playing coach.
The good year for the club included the return of the junior program, which Davies said they were planning to expand.
“Most of the players had never played, so to get three wins was tremendous for them,” he said.
“We’re already looking forward and looking to get more teams up and running. These kids are already looking at returning.”
Anyone interested in coaching the Royals should contact Davies on 0418 535 211.
Meanwhile, Melton Centrals will host Williamstown Imperials in a knockout semi-final this weekend.
