Solid form a cause for all-rounder optimism

Pieter van der Kooij has enjoyed a purple patch of cricketing success in recent times.

A Harding-Madsen Shield winner with MetropolitanEasts last year, the all-rounder was a runner up in the inaugural DDBBL with the George Banks Umbrellas, as well as a second-placed finish with the Trojans before COVID shut down the TCI A-grade season.

Now he’s hoping to go one better, being picked up by the Hip Pocket Rockets.

Playing his role in their opening round victory with 22 runs, van der Kooij said the side has the right pieces in place to challenge at the right time of the season.

“The first game was a great one, and it’s a shame there had to be a loser,” he said.

“It was such a tight contest, but Shaun (McCarthy) and Michael (Sippel) really pulled through for us, especially at the end.”

Traditionally on the other end of battles against Western Districts’ McCarthy and brothers Luke and Sam Neale, van der Kooij said the new task of combining to try and win a T20 title is something they all enjoy.

“It’s been nice to play with a different set of blokes from Toowoomba,” he said.

“Playing with Sean, Luke and Sam is great. Also Michael Sippel, who plays for Laidley and who we came up against in the Harding-Madsen Shield final.

“One of the strengths of the competition is meeting these guys, and you realise everyone is a good bloke who just enjoys playing cricket.”

An unprecedented step from van der Kooij paved the way for players from the west to put their name in front of team managers and coaches, with a trial prior to the draft putting a number of names up in lights.

“A lot of players in the west don’t get seen much because they’re not in the local competition,” he said.

“It was a cool trial, and a lot that came were picked up by teams.

“Nicholas Budden played for us, and Matt plays for the Blazers, so it creates a bit of family rivalry .

“We’re pretty stoked that coaches and managers came along.” DDBBL FIXTURES

John O’Brien Oval, Gatton: Raptors vs Lightning at 10am, Blazers vs Aztecs at 2pm

Cahill Park, Gatton: Lightning vs Knight Riders at 2pm, Raptors vs Rockets at 6pm

All games played tomorrow