Bellbridge has a new sense of motivation as the next generation starts to make its mark at the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Evans Clark Shield club.
Of the 45 players to play for the club on the weekend, more than half of them are under-21 showing the direction the club is going.
First XI Captain Dillon Hinge said it’s exciting to see what these younger players can do.
“The club is going through a phase into promoting the youth,” he said. “It was the youngest side that we have fielded in the time since I’ve been at the club.
“Half our players are juniors coming through and that is so exciting. It’s something we planned in the pre-season and it’s the direction the club wanted to go in.”
Hinge said they had a good group of youngsters who were really committed to playing cricket.
He said having them in the side had given some of the older blokes some more motivation.
In the Bears team on Saturday, they had three players under 20.
Kade Sullivan was playing his second game this week and he’s only 17.
Rudra Bavanaka is another one who is 17, while Vinay Kaler, 19, is playing his first game.
The Bears find themselves in a good position after day one of their match with Werribee Centrals.
Winning the toss and batting first, the Bears were bowled out for 316 in the final over.
Hinge was the star of the innings, making 100.
Daniel Stock made 68.
Hinge said they were really happy with that total. He said batting was one area they had looked to improve.
“We went out and got some recruits,” he said..
“Daniel Stock has made two 50s in two hits and was a major player in getting the in again over the line in round one.”
For the Centurions, Shuvro Saha took 5-44 off 16 overs.
Hinge said they hope they can continue the same form into day two of the match.
“We will find it tough at times being a young team,” he said. “We’ll keep pushing through.
“We’ll try and build on that momentum and get the job done on the weekend.”
Despite going with a younger side, Hinge said finals still remained the focus for the club.
Meanwhile in the Roy Picone Shield, it was varying days for Point Cook Centrals and Point Cook.
Point Cook Centrals is in control against Moonee Valley.
The Sharks made 227 with Rasanjana Jayarathna top scoring with 84.
Moonee Valley will resume at 3-30.
Point Cook has already conceded first innings points against Keilor Park.
The Warriors were bowled out for 117, with the Devils finishing day one at 4.124.
In the Russell Pollock Shield, Wyndham Vale is in trouble in its run chase with St Andrew’s Footscray.
The Vales are 2-12 chasing 8-270.
