Bannockburn elated to be back on familiar turf

BANNOCKBURN president Martyn Bona says his club feels relevant again after being included in GCA3 for this summer, ending a long-running saga that marred last season.

Hard-wicket clubs Bannockburn and Teesdale will play in the previously all-turf competition, increasing the number of teams in the GCA’s third division to 10.

Fellow hard-wicket clubs Lethbridge and Meredith will field two-day sides in a revamped 12-team GCA1 third XI competition.

Bona said his club was rapt about the move, which gave his club relevance again after playing against GCA2 third XI sides in Synthetic 3 last season.

“We’re extremely satisfied with the result,” he said.

“It’s common sense and it gives us an opportunity to play in a very competitive competition, which is what we wanted all along.

“Thank you for the GCA management and committee for having the bravery to right a wrong decision and include us in the competition again.”

GCA president Barry McFarlane said the association would attempt to minimise the amount of hard-wicket cricket GCA3 sides play this summer.

It is believed Bannockburn and Teesdale may only host one-day games on synthetic, but the schedule is yet to be confirmed.

“The structure of the fixture will ensure there is a minimal amount of hard-wicket cricket played in what will be considered a turf-wicket competition, with all finals to be played at turf venues,” McFarlane said.

Bona said his club “would have played on the moon” to play more competitive cricket.

“Today we celebrate we’re a Division 3 club again, but our ambition is to one day be a Division 2 and then a Division 1 club,” he said.

“We’re working really hard to get a turf pitch with Golden Plains Shire and the GCA.”

Meanwhile, GCA1 clubs will still play for championship points in their third XI grade.

“It was determined that Division 1 thirds is the highest hard-wicket grade that the GCA competition can provide, hence our decision to place Lethbridge and Meredith in that level of cricket,” McFarlane said.

“Importantly, for Division 1 clubs, third XI results will still count toward Club Championship points.

“These decisions are to be a temporary fix for 12 months to give the time needed for a complete review of turf and hard wicket cricket within the Geelong and Barwon Regions,” he said.

“Along with the cricket operations manager, I have met with a representative from the City of Greater Geelong regarding the G21 Barwon Cricket Strategies Review.

“I am reasonably comfortable that decisions can be made over the next 12 months in the best interests of the game in the Greater Geelong region.” MORE LOCAL CRICKET: PAGE 49