Sport
31 March, 2024
SPECIAL REPORT: Premiers say five teams 'stay key'
WHEN Bridgewater withdrew its senior side from Upper Loddon Cricket Association this season, the competition’s oldest club Arnold started looking at options. The Redbacks say they don’t want to be left without playing a game on summer Saturdays...
WHEN Bridgewater withdrew its senior side from Upper Loddon Cricket Association this season, the competition’s oldest club Arnold started looking at options.
The Redbacks say they don’t want to be left without playing a game on summer Saturdays if suddenly another side faltered and made the current four-team competition unviable.
The Redbacks have looked at neighbouring associations based on Bendigo and Maryborough.
But within minutes of Arnold winning the 2023-2024 flag a fortnight ago, secretary Ryan Metelmann said a minimum five-team Upper Loddon association was key to the Redbacks staying put next season.
Arnold celebrated its 125th anniversary earlier this year, its history of successfully playing in Loddon-based competitions for more than a century celebrated.
Association president Wendy Murphy used grand final day to announce a “pow wow” on April 15 to discuss the competition’s future when clubs could indicate their preparedness to be part of the next season.
Bridgewater says it wants to make a return. President John Daldy has told members: “It was disappointing to lose the seniors this past season ... but we are working hard behind the scenes to get it back up and running so the juniors will have a place to continue their cricketing careers”.
There have also been informal discussions about looking to entice teams in adjoining districts into Upper Loddon.
Charlton is one club that has been mentioned. It has a team in the two-grade Wimmera Mallee competition that draws sides from most North Central Football League towns and as far north as Brim.
Competing in B Grade, Charlton finished the season as runners-up.
Upper Loddon has its own junior association - also back to four clubs this season after Arnold withdrew. In Donald and St Arnaud, four teams vie for honour in each of the town’s competitions - Donald runs matches on Friday nights.
Boort Yando returned to Upper Loddon junior cricket this season after standing out for a season, linked in part to fatigue among the same cohort of achieving under 17 footballers in the town.
Upper Loddon clubs have also been discussing senior match formats. Wedderburn and Arnold agreed to have two 20:20 encounters during the season.
Informal talk has extended to two twilight 20:20 rounds at a central venue that would then free up the weekends of players.
Inglewood has emerged as the likely location with suitable lighting. It’s a ground still with a pitch almost a decade after the local club went into recess and players last honed their skills in practice nets.
Players want to see the association build on strong town and family support seen at matches this season.
“A Friday night 20:20 would be a great way to bring all clubs together and make for a real family night,” one player said during the finals.
As association president Wendy Murphy said, all ideas are on the table for next season.