Warriors on a roll and ready to test themselves against Tigers

MODEWARRE captaincoach Jake Hooson says his side is brimming with confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash against perennial finalist Torquay.

Outclassing Marshall on Tuesday night to secure their fourth-straight win, the Warriors have proved to be the surprise packet of the season.

Hosting the Tigers in the first two-day clash of 2019-20,

Hooson said his players were eager to test themselves against the might of Torquay, which lost the GCA2 grand final last season.

“We’ve had three wins in a row in the one-dayers and one win in the T20s, so we’ve got a bit of confidence. It will be a big challenge, but we’re feeling good and we’ll go in, give it 100 per cent and hopefully come out with another win,” he said.

The Tigers’ form has been patchy in the opening rounds, sitting fifth on the ladder at 2-2, but Hooson said his side wouldn’t get caught up in the form of the opposition.

“We just focus on what we can do well,” Hooson said.

“If we can keep our focus on what we can do well, where we can improve each week and not worry so much about the opposition, then we’ll be all right going forward.”

Hooson has been pleased with the performance of his batting group in the early rounds, but admitted there was room for improvement in the bowling and fielding departments.

“The biggest thing is the fielding; we’ve had a good game in the field and then a bad game, so if we can be a bit more consistent in the field and with catching, that will help going forward,” he said.

“The batting is going pretty well, but the bowling could improve to be honest. We just need to hit our areas early on.”

The fielding was particularly sloppy in the T20 Cup season-opener, with chances going begging late in the innings.

Brendan Wemyss, the hero of Tuesday night’s three-wicket win over the Bears, returns to the line-up after missing the victory over St Peter’s due to a wedding.

Wemyss is likely to be the only inclusion, with Jackson O’Hanlon set to miss the next two games while on holidays in America.

Wemyss will take form into Saturday’s clash at Mount Moriac Reserve, having belted a timely 31 from 15 balls to help the Warriors beat Marshall with an over to spare on Tuesday night.

“He’s done that a couple of times this season, come in and struck them well,” Hooson said.

“He’s got one of the best eyes in the club and he’s one of the best strikers in the club. He comes in and backs himself and he’s playing really well. He’s in really good touch and hopefully he can keep it going.”