Halls Gap will face a good opportunity to record its second win this weekend when it takes on Pomonal in the Grampians Cricket Association A grade competition.
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It has been a slow start for the Gappers, but their captain Sean Mantell said it is not too late to turn their season around.
After an outright loss at the hands of the Combine last week Mantell hopes they can put that behind them as they take on Pomonal.
“Hopefully we can bounce back with a victory over Pomonal,” Mantell said.
“It is definitely a big opportunity to get our second win of the season. We haven’t started the season too well, but we think we are better than the ladder suggests.”
Following the Christmas break Mantell was hopeful of getting some consistency from his team, but he is yet to see results.
“We are still just lacking consistency,” he said.
It is definitely a big opportunity to get our second win of the season. We haven’t started the season too well, but we think we are better than the ladder suggests.
- Sean Mantell
“We need to get more runs on the board. We have a lot of guys getting starts, but not going on to make a big score.”
Halls Gap will welcome some players back to their team this weekend.
Dylan O’Neill will come back in as well as Zac O’Neill.
“Dylan should strengthen our bowling and also Zac will be back,” Mantell said.
“We are hoping Shane Spriggs will be able to play his first game for the season and if he does he will open the batting for us.”
Spriggs is a big hitter and if he is to play he will he will give Halls Gap much needed depth at the top of the order.
It would be expected that he occupy the crease for some time to settle into his innings.
The Halls Gap playing group are confident they have what it takes to challenge for a finals spot late in the season if they can continue to put their best team on the field.
“We are still aiming for finals but I think we are going to have to win every game from now on to be a chance,” Mantell said.
“If we play at our best we are definitely capable of playing finals.”
For Pomonal the equation is less confusing. The side currently sits inside the top four and is one game clear of Tatyoon which are in fifth spot.
The side has also had an up and down season, but earlier wins have given them some security in the later stages of the season.
Pomonal has struggled to get their best team on the field each week.
Lee Oliver has been quiet with the bat, but has been able to bowl in a partnership with Matt Grinham.
The game will be played at Central Park.
All teams will break for the Australia Day weekend.
The Grampians association will celebrate their 50 years will a special T20 and a function at the Alexandra Oval function room.
- See Tuesday’s edition for full story
