Cricket
CRICKET returns this Saturday as the DBCA commences its 2014-15 season, with Bridgetown hosting Boyup Brook and Donny brook playing Preston Valley.
The inaugural DBCA Twenty 20 trophy will be a highlight this season and will run in addition to regular 45-over per side matches.
The T20 trophy starts the season and culminates in a finals showcase to be contested on February 7.
Premiers last season, Preston Valley have lost former skipper Craig Watson as well as Adam Cranston, though the club is hoping to secure the services of Country XI cricketer Clint Hewson.
Last season's association leading wicket taker Brad Swarbrick will lead their attack with support from Joel Parker and Sean Gardiner, while Andrew and Wayne Clifford will be hungry for runs. Runners-up last time around, Donnybrook have been hit hard by player unavailability as Clint Baker, Neil Robertson, Chris Morgan and Gavin Murat, who took a combined 84 wickets last season, are all unavailable.
However, they will be buoyed by the acquisition of Jimmy Harcourt from Bridgetown and will again look to key players Norm Bedford and Phil Welsh as well as the emerging Cameron Licciardello.
Knocked out in the semi-final last year, Bridgetown will look to atone through veterans Shane Glancy and Darren Tassos who both finished inside the top five leading run scorers for the association last season.
Much is expected of the Rat Pack comprising of Darcy Walsh, Tom Vowles and Brett Wilson.
The club is also hopeful of regaining the services of 2007-8 Cricketer of the Year Doug Troode who has come out of retirement for another tilt at an elusive flag.
Boyup Brook is still in a rebuilding phase and will rely heavily on Tristan Mead, Scott Tweedie and Ben Mead for leadership.
In addition to their experience the club is set to regain Ty Ban croft from injury while emerging players Luke Reilly, Joe Thomp son, Jarrod Hales, Shannon Maw and Jacob Maw should be better for another year of top flight cricket.
New players are welcome at all clubs, with training taking place for Bridgetown on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5pm at Bridgetown Primary School while Boyup trains on Fridays at Boyup Brook Oval from 5.30 and both Donnybrook and Preston Valley train at Egan Park from 5pm with Donnybrook training on Wednes days and Fridays and Preston Valley on Thursdays.
