There has been a shift in mindset at Bellbridge Cricket Club over the past 12 months since long-time player Andrew Wilks took on the coaching role and lifted spirits.
The watershed came at the end of his first season in charge, when the club trekked to the Williamstown and District Cricket Association A-turf finals for the first time.
PICTURE GALLERY: Bellbridge v Williamstown Colts
The Bridge has turned from a club once fearful of mixing it with the best to one that holds a mental edge over most in its division.
“There were a few years there where we weren’t as successful on the field as we should’ve been,” Wilks told Star Weekly.
“We always believed we had the talent but probably didn’t have the mental application.
“It’s trying to instil that belief that we do have the ability and to go out there and be confident in yourself and get the job done.
“A little bit more application was needed across the board, whether that be at training or on match day.”
The Bridge has brought in speedster Jake Styles, from Wyndhamvale, and English wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Downie as an overseas import. Their introduction further breaks down the mental scars of years past.
“Getting a few new faces into the club has helped us as well because they don’t understand some of the stigma that had been around previously,” Wilks said.
Downie’s arrival has been a long time coming. The talented teen was in talks to come Down Under in the middle of last season, but both parties decided it would be better for him to commit to a full season and delayed the arrival.
Downie now has a whole summer in front of him to become familiar with his teammates and acclimatise to the local conditions, and he should hit his best form at the business end of summer.
He will slot into the top order nicely and has already made an impression behind the stumps.
“He’s a good clean hitter of the ball and looks like a really good keeper, so the early indications are good,” Wilks said.
“It’s a good experience for him to come out for six months, and a lot of the sides seem to get somebody from out that way to their clubs.”
Bellbridge has sparkled with three consecutive wins to start the summer and the side will only get stronger with the return of injured batsmen creating competition for spots.
The club is desperate to prove it’s not a one-summer wonder and wants to back up its new-found positivity again this season.
“Last year was the first time in A turf we’ve made finals,” Wilks said. “To back it up with a solid start to the year has given the guys a fair bit of confidence. There’s the motivation to get back in there and try to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. We want to push up there again and I think we’ve got the personnel to do so.”
