Sport
Seymour District Cricket Association teams’ form assessed ahead of restart
Are you searching for a fix of cricket to fill the gap between the two Australian Test series?
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Well, you’re in luck because the Seymour District Cricket Association returns this weekend after the Christmas break.
On top of the table is the undefeated Eastern Hill, with the surprise packet Seymour currently sitting in second place.
Reigning premier Tallarook and Pyalong round out the top four.
With warm, sunny weather incoming to dry out the now-drenched pitches, the action looks like it will kick off this weekend.
So, to help you get back in the swing of the SDCA, here’s each team’s form this season so far.
1. Eastern Hill (8 wins, 0 losses, 1 bye)
Eastern Hill has set itself up as the team to beat this season following a close 2022-23 grand final defeat last season at the hands of Tallarook.
The young side has been consistent throughout the season, with plenty of contributors with the bat.
Where Eastern Hill has taken its game to another level is with the ball.
Fraser Lewis and Matthew Collard have picked up five-wicket hauls in the first half of the season and three players sit within the competition’s top 10 wicket-takers (Lewis, Collard and O’Sullivan).
The Eagles will be looking to continue their strong form, secure a home final as soon as possible and go one better this season.
2. Seymour (6 wins, 1 loss, 2 byes)
Seymour has taken a few sides by surprise this season.
Most notably, it comfortably beat reigning premier Tallarook early in the season.
Having lacked bowling penetration in recent years, Seymour has the two leading wicket-takers in the competition with Brodey Pointon and youngster Hugh Smith.
Hayden Gawne is having a fantastic all-round season, averaging less than 10 with the ball and nearly 30 with the bat.
A finals berth has been a long time coming for the Maroons and they’re sitting a game clear of Tallarook and well ahead of the chasers outside the top four.
It looks all but assured Seymour will have a chance at making the decider in March this season.
3. Tallarook (5 wins, 2 losses, 1 bye)
Tallarook has fielded a younger side this season following last year’s A and B-grade double premiership.
The ’Rook has continued to be a force with the bat, with both Josh Rudge and Leigh Irving striking centuries and Rudge and captain Lachlan Watts leading the competition’s run charts.
Watts, Kal Winnel and youngster Xavier Arandt all sit among the top 10 leading wicket-takers.
Tallarook has taken apart a few lower-ranked sides, meaning it leads the competition in percentage.
It will be looking to improve its performances against Seymour and Eastern Hill following disappointing showings against the outfits in 2023.
4. Pyalong (3 wins, 3 losses, 2 byes)
Pyalong has one eye on March action, comfortably in the top four, two wins ahead of the remaining clubs.
Sean Walsh leads the runs and Matt Pratt tops the wicket tally ahead of the resumption of play this week.
Pyalong has a tough run towards the end of the season, playing Eastern Hill, Seymour and Tallarook within a month.
Having returned to the A-grade scene this season, Pyalong will be delighted with a finals place if it can lock it in.
5. Alexandra (1 win, 6 losses, 1 bye, 1 no result)
The Redbacks have found the move into A-grade challenging, lacking some firepower to put defendable scores on the board before Christmas.
The highlight so far has been a thumping win over Avenel while also going close to taking a win off Yea.
Alexandra will be looking to put a couple of wins on the board late in the season to stay ahead of Yea and Avenel and potentially put some fear into Pyalong in the top four.
6. Avenel (1 win, 6 losses, 1 bye, 1 no result)
The third side to jump into the A-grade competition this season, Avenel has been competitive at times, picking up a win against Yea and putting up a fight against Pyalong.
Much like Alexandra, Avenel will be pushing for a few wins in the back half of the season to jump a spot or two on the ladder.
7. Yea (1 win, 7 losses, 1 bye)
While Yea sits at the bottom of the ladder, its percentage is above both Alexandra and Avenel, having gone close against Seymour and picking up a win over Avenel.
Biron Hardinge has been its best contributor with the bat, with 136 runs to date.
While Yea may be too far back to challenge for a top-four spot, it will be hoping to finish the year ahead of Alexandra and Avenel with some strong form following the break.
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