Seymour District Cricket Association set for grand return

After a long and dour winter, the gentleman’s game is slated to return to grounds around Seymour this weekend, sparking the official beginning of the summer sport season.

And in 2022-23, the SDCA is set for a new look.

The A-grade competition has dropped back down to five teams, with Kilmore making the decision to leave the association after more than 50 years and join the Gisborne and District Cricket Association over the off-season.

That means it will be Eastern Hill, Seymour, Tallarook, Broadford and Yea Tigers battling it out for supremacy in the top division this season, with the competition set to be as fierce as ever.

But the SDCA did manage to do some expansion over the winter months, with Marysville Villans set to join the association this season, fielding one side in the B-grade competition to begin with.

This season will also mark the return of two-day cricket after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finally reaching the conclusion of what has been a frantic off season, SDCA president Ben Trezise said he was thrilled to see the return of cricket to the Seymour region.

“It is so exciting to be able to get back in action. It’s been a long winter and all of our clubs are super excited to be able to get back on the field,” Trezise said.

“It was unfortunate to lose Kilmore over the off-season, but we wish them all the best moving forward, and for us it is all about how we can continue to grow as an association.

“Welcoming Marysville is very exciting for us and we cannot wait to see them playing at grounds all across our region this summer.

“Numbers across all clubs appear to be good and I’m expecting strong cricket to be played across all grades this season.”

Round one action is poised to get under way this weekend, but with wild weather forecast, question marks surround whether we will see any cricket.

With leagues around the state already pulling the pin on this weekend’s matches, Trezise said the SDCA was still holding out hope that some teams may be able to get on the park.

“We will never pull the pin early. Obviously it’s not looking too good with the forecast, but we will hold off and make that call on Friday night,” he said.

“You never actually know your options until you get the rain, and because we are so spread out as an association, some places might get more than others, meaning some grounds could hold games.

“So, for the moment we are forging on and hoping we get to see some cricket played.”

In terms of the action on the field, Eastern Hill enters the season as the team to beat.

The Kings Park-based team catapulted up the ladder in 2021-22, with an exciting group of young players leading the Eagles to a drought-breaking premiership.

This means they enter the new campaign as the hunted, something captain Seamus Feery said his team would embrace.

“This is going to be a very exciting season for our club and we cannot wait to get into it,” Feery said.

“We expect a lot of the other sides to step up and really take it to us, because that’s what happens when you win, people want to beat you, which presents a different challenge.

“We have retained our entire squad from our premiership win last year, which is pleasing, and everyone is super pumped to get back out and defend our title.

“(This season) also marks the 60-year anniversary of our club, which is a great effort, and the goal is to be competitive across all grades this year.”

With Feery at the helm, the Eagles are set to boast a star-studded line-up this summer.

All-rounder Ben Bryant stole the headlines last season, dominating with both bat and ball, with his exploits earning him selection in the Northern Rivers Team of the Year.

But Eastern Hill certainly isn’t a one-man band, with Feery excited to see his young squad take another step forward this campaign.

“The return of two-day cricket should be good and suit our young side,” he said.

“I’m really keen to see what Benny (Bryant) and his brother Ollie can do this year. They were both really good for us last season and should improve again.

“But through our whole squad there are endless possibilities. Guys like Dan O’Sullivan bowling spin should take a jump, Dallas Bergowicz behind the stumps, Brayden Speechley at the top of the order — we have a very good mix of players.”

Cross-town rival Seymour will be hoping for an Eastern Hill-like rise this season.

The Maroons finished the 2021-22 season on the bottom of the ladder with just one win, but a young squad and host of competitive performances should have supporters optimistic.

With new captain Brodey Pointon at the helm, expect to see growth at Chittick Park this season.

After falling in last year’s grand final by 15 runs, Broadford will have revenge on its mind.

Ashley Wood appears poised to lead the way with the bat once again after a standout campaign, while Jake Martin will lead the charge with ball in hand.

Tallarook will enter the 2022-23 campaign under the guidance of new mentor Andrew Dundon.

He takes over a talented group, led by run machine and skipper Lachlan Watts, who will without doubt make some noise.

Perennial contenders Yea Tigers will have their eyes on returning to premiership glory, with an exciting mix of youth and experience meaning they will be there or thereabouts this summer.