Coach boosts ‘Canes
THE presence of veteran allrounder Shane Connors has been largely credited for Alberton Ormeau’s resurgence that has the newly rebranded Hurricanes targeting finals cricket.
Previously known as the Force before an off-season merger, Alberton endured a horror 2017-18 in which they limped to the wooden spoon.
But a return to the top four is already in sight this summer following an impressive fourfrom-four campaign in the stand-alone Twenty20 tournament in September.
The Hurricanes will get their first chance for competition points today in a one-dayer against Runaway Bay, having had their Round 1 match washed out and dealt the bye last weekend.
Their T20 final against Southport Labrador was also postponed due to weather.
It is a situation that has led to most of their list – outside of Bulls Masters representatives Connors, Josh Kelly and Matthew Yiend – not batting in a match since September 22.
Alberton captain Corey Galloway however is confident they can carry their early form forward, having seen a drastic lift in their training results brought by Connors’ coaching.
Connors has returned from a year off to act as playercoach, a role that was left vacant last season.
The all-rounder amassed 3669 runs and 128 wickets for the club in the decade ending 2016-17.
“He is pretty experienced so he has brought that coaching ability which has helped a lot at training,” said Galloway, 27.
“(Our T20 form) gives us a lot of confidence. I think it has more come from the way we have trained, everyone has been more on-board.
“Last year was a bit of a rebuilding year for us.
“There were probably only three of us who were proper first graders and a lot of second graders came up and got their first grade experience and now they are better for it – and we have got a few experienced players back like Shane and Yiendy.
“Our goal is definitely to make finals this year.”
Now led by Lydon Gibbons, Runaway Bay have started the summer with a win against Mudgeeraba Nerang and a loss to Burleigh.