Tara Murray
Werribee Centrals produced one of its best batting performances in a number of years to kick off the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Evans-Clark season.
While the Centurions have dropped a grade this season after being relegated, there’s a new positive outlook for the group.
Centurions president Luke Allister said they were pretty excited heading into the season.
“We had a bit of a reset probably when I took over as a president, five, six years ago,” he said.
“We didn’t want to go buying premierships… We tried to get people in who wanted to be there.
“Now is the time to get a really experienced coach to help bring us back up. We’re really happy with where we’re at and all the work to make it a place to be which we think it is.”
The Centurions bought in Tarique Jeffrey as coach. Allister said he almost hung up on Jeffrey when he called him.
“He’s played in the comp for at least 15 years,” he said. “I was in Manilla and he called me and there was a delay on the phone and I nearly hung up, I’m glad that I didn’t.”
“He has been unreal working with all our guys.”
Abdul Quader Syed came across with Jeffrey from East Keilor.
Luke Simpson, who last played for the club about 11 years ago, returns to the club from Sunshine Heights.
Allister said Simpson would help fill the hole left by the retirement of Shaun Jennings.
Neil Hariman came across with Simpson, while Joel Russell is another who has returned to the club.
Allister said they were starting to attract people to the club who were enjoying the environment.
It means they have depth they haven’t had for a number of years.
On Saturday, the Centurions started their season against Seabrook.
They made 284 as they were bowled out in the 81st over.
Simpson was the star with 108.
Allister, who was at the other end when he hit the century, said it was awesome to see.
“He started the day having to raid his kids’ money box for his match fee,” he laughed.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve made 280, it’s pretty exciting. There’s a whole group of us that can do it.
“Luke’s 100 it sort of shows where we are. We haven’t had someone hit a century in the ones for a long time, to get someone like that wanting to come back and hit 100 in his first game is pretty special.”
While it’s been a positive start, Allister said they would look to take it one week at a time but think they have the squad to be in the mix around finals time.
In other matches, Bellbridge has already claimed first innings points against St Andrew’s Footscray.
St Andrew’s was bowled out for 68, with Bellbridge finishing day one at 4-203.
In the Roy Picone Shield, Point Cook finished 9-176 against Kingsville, which will resume at 0-5.
