BELLBRIDGE has reverted to its original name to avoid confusion in the Williamstown and District Cricket Association.
The club had played under the name Hoppers Club in recent seasons after striking up a partnership with the local sports club.
Bellbridge president Mark Croswell said it was important for his club to reclaim its identity.
“It’s the name clash with the Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club that we wanted to get away from,” he said.
“It was a bit confusing.
“Every time you spoke to someone about Hoppers Club, you’d have to go through the whole spiel about it not being the club in Hogans Road.
“We decided to revert to our old name to re-establish our identity.”
For the record, Bellbridge plays at Mossfiel Reserve in Heaths Road.
The club has three senior teams, with the top side in the WDCA’s B1 turf competition. Croswell said the club was a great alternative to Hoppers Crossing, which plays in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, because it offered young players an opportunity for regular first and second XI cricket.
“When you’re a youngster coming up at some of the other club, you can get stuck playing in the seventh or eighth sides and travelling to the other side of town,” he said.
“At our club, you are going to get a great opportunity to play in the top grades, and with us you’re going to stay a lot closer to home.”
Croswell is proud of the club’s home ground at Mossfiel Reserve. It’s a real feature of playing at Bellbridge.
“We’re confident it’s one of the best outfields in Wyndham. We have our own curator who puts in about 20 hours a week.”
Bellbridge managed to get on the ground against St John’s on Saturday, but it was only fleeting.
The visitors reached 7-75 before the umpires called play off due to poor weather.
Bellbridge is always keen for more players to join the club in the junior and senior ranks, but is particularly keen to get a second under-11 side up and running.
SCORES
A1 turf: Melton South 91 (T Lawford 4-19 J Styles 2-12 A Moscatiello 2-13) lt Wyndhamvale 7-94 (J Roze 25).
B1 turf: Bellbridge drew St Johns 7-75 (A Masterson 3-19 A Wilks 2-6).
C composite: Western All Stars 5-161 d Point Cook 7-158.
