Point Cook has christened its impressive new Saltwater Reserve home with a 107-run mauling of Kingsville Baptists in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association west B1 opener.
The Warriors ushered in a new era with a dominant performance that will have premiership hopefuls taking note.
Opening batsman Daryl Groves set the foundation for the Warriors’ 5-197 off 40 overs with a scintillating 88.
He was backed up by reigning club champion David Hicks (27).
Kingsville’s response was a fizzer: all out for 90 after Warriors new-ball operator Troy Semmens (3-17) and playing assistant coach Aaron Whear (3-14) shut the batsmen down.
Warriors captain Travis Bean was impressed with the luxuries on offer at the Point Cook Road ground after the club spent all its inaugural VTCA campaign on the road.
“We finally moved in after a false start and it’s been really good,” he said. “There’s four change rooms. All the grounds are in good nick and we’ve got brand new nets as well, so it’s all looking pretty positive at the moment.”
The Warriors are striving to put a team on the field to match the facilities.
They impressed in season one before bowing out at the semi-final stage. “We weren’t far away,” Bean said. “We missed out on a grand final by 70 runs in our first year.”
The Warriors have retained all key members of last year’s side.
They didn’t go out and actively pursue new recruits but will get back Jason Denton, who is like a new recruit after missing the second half of last season with a shoulder injury.
Allrounder Hicks looms as the barometer for the Warriors, while teenage left-handed bat Justin Tobias will be given his chance in the ones.
Bean is coaching a side that is hungry to go one better after last year’s disappointing end.
“There’s definitely a desire for the senior players to build on what they started last year,” he said.
Elsewhere on the first rain-free weekend in the VTCA, Hoppers Crossing (60) had a disastrous start in senior division, losing to Airport West-
St Christophers (5-171) by 11 runs.
Werribee Centrals (9-157) returned to north A1, suffering a two-wicket loss to Aberfeldie (8-161).
In west B1, Seabrook (110) sent Footscray ANA (84) packing after fourth-change bowler Dilip Sarkhell took 4-17.
The arrival of Wyndhamvale (61) in the VTCA was one to forget as it was rolled by Barkly Street Uniting (92).
