Saints on rebound
SAINTS are eager to get their season back on track after opening 2017/ 18 with a first- round loss.
Last year’s Townsville Cricket grand finalists lost to Wanderers by 58 runs despite bowling solidly enough to dismiss them for 181.
Darren Sullivan took four wickets from a 13- over spell, while co- captain Matthew Burton and Matthew Sorohan collected two each.
But what Saints could do, Wanderers did better, and it was Matthew Johnston ( 3/ 43) and Damien Meek ( 3/ 22) who heaped the most damage on Saints.
Off season recruit Tom Sky ( 22) was the only batsman who came close to kicking on for Saints, but Burton is confident last weekend’s performance will soon be a thing of the past.
Saints take on Wests in their second round fixture starting today at JCU Oval, and welcome back representative big hitter Brad Stout after missing the first round through work.
“Last week was a bit of a hiccup, we probably got caught a little bit off guard with the season coming up on us so quickly,” Burton said.
“We’re also going through a bit of a transition; Mitch Burton, Todd Schloss and Clint Thompson won’t be playing with us this year. “But we have some great young players coming through and it’s a very competitive side.”
Burton said the acquisitions of Sky and experienced campaigner Brett Weightman would help Saints ease into their latest season.
“Tom is based in Charters Towers and he comes into the side with a lot of experience,” he said.
“He’s a wicketkeeper batsman and I’d say he’ll be a straight replacement for Clint Thompson, and Matt Holm I think will be a very good leg spinner for us.
“Brett has been around the club for a long time and he’s been playing third grade, so for him to come back up into A grade is very big for us.”
Saints take on a Wests’ outfit that scored first- innings points over Brothers last weekend, with Australian Country representative Tony Hampson making 60 runs and Luke Moran 41.
Off season Sean Farrelly provided the catalyst for Wests’ first- round win with bowling figures of 3/ 10.
“It’s a huge test for us, Wests always set a benchmark,” Burton said.
“But we’re confident of putting in a much better performance.”
Norths will aim to continue their impressive season start when they play Brothers at John McCulloch, a week after scoring an outright win over premiers Suburban Parks.
Subs take on Wanderers in the round’s other match at Fred Jacobsen Oval.