Cricket facing up to new roster

•  Former Tasmanian Tigers coach Tim Coyle calls some shots at a clinic for juniors in March this year.

By Tony Scott,
November 10, 2021

Cricket fans are determined to keep competitions going in the North-East for junior and senior players.

An annual meeting of the local association set up a framework for a limited roster for three teams each for grades three to seven children and for seniors.

Matches will be played mainly on Friday evenings with a gala day for the seniors early next February.

The junior teams from Bridport, Ringwood and Scottsdale will start a roster on November 26 to December 17, then resume from February 11 till March 18.

The Association secretary Jason Sarich said the numbers could not be guaranteed to provide two levels of competition of the juniors.

“All the coaches were there and agreed to make sure it was fair, so grade threes wouldn’t have to face up to grade seven bowlers.

“Girls and boys will be welcome to play in both junior and senior divisions as well,” he said.

The senior competition won’t get underway until the new year with teams from Branxholm, Bridport and Scottsdale playing each other once from January 14 to January 28 a gala day on Saturday February 5 and a grand finals the following Friday evening.

Senior games will get underway at 5:15pm and the juniors will start at 3:30 or 4pm.

All games will be in the 20x20 format and be played at either Bridport or Scottsdale.

Mr Sarich said the idea was to keep cricket alive in the area after the sport had reached a low ebb.

“Two years ago we didn’t have a competition at all, so it’ll be good to have a few games and keeping the youngsters involved will hopefully mean they’ll be more players coming through.”

A series of clinics will be held at the Scottsdale recreation ground over four weeks after Christmas supported by Cricket Tasmania.

Former State coach Tim Coyle is also booked to host a clinic on a date yet to be decided after a very popular previous exercise early this year.

Cricketers interested in joining the competitions should contact Jason Sarich 0459 574 547 for the seniors or junior development officer Cass Sheehan 0437 692 337.