Bannockburn ready for stiffer competition

BANNOCKBURN captaincoach Dan Davies doesn’t believe his side has a point to prove on its return to GCA3.

Davies instead suggested they will need to “prove our worth”, starting with today’s clash with grand final nemesis Teesdale.

Having been shunned to the GCA’s hard-wicket competition last season, playing against mainly Division 2 third XI sides, the Bulls return from the wilderness quietly confi- dent as they look to avenge from last year’s grand final loss to Teesdale.

“Certainly we need to prove our worth in the division,” Davies said.

“Probably both of us are an unknown quantity in Division 3, and because we were playing in such a poor competition last year and were so dominant, it’s hard to gauge for both clubs where they’re at.”

Speaking midweek in the Geelong Advertiser’s local cricket liftout, Davies said the Bulls were “a long way above” the level they played last summer, and believes they are well set to compete in GCA3.

“In a sense it’s not ideal to be playing each other Round 1, because we won’t be any closer to knowing where we fit in the competition,” he said of today’s one-dayer against the Roos.

“I think we’ve got a pretty strong bowling attack and our batting is probably similar to last year with the exception of Lachie Smith, who is still going to play the most of the year.”

Off-season recruits Sam Riseley, from North Geelong, and Luke Kunjka, from Manifold Heights, add even more strength to the Bulls’ bowling attack that already boasts Connor and Jamieson Jervies, as well as Davies.

Teesdale has just five players remaining from its Grand Final victory in today’s selected eleven under new captaincoach Peter Cruden.

“We’re probably more suited to one-day cricket, only because we’ve got quite a few aggressive batsman,” Davies said.

“Like any club, wins before Christmas are super important so I’m sure both clubs will be trying to get a win under their belt and move on to the next week.”