Port Adelaide, Cam Valente launch strong finals charge in SACA Premier Cricket

A Premier Cricket club and its star recruit look set to compete for silverware after missing finals last season, catapulting itself into the top four with a three-match win streak.

A first grade Premier Cricket club has announced itself as a premiership contender after three straight two-day wins.

Port Adelaide, led by star all-rounder recruit Cam Valente, has skyrocketed into the top two after impressive displays against East Torrens, Adelaide University and Adelaide.

The club, which won the first grade Twenty20 competition last season but failed to make one-day or two-day finals, added significantly to its list in the off-season with Valente, Parwiz Malikzai (Afghanistan), Jack Wood (Brisbane Heat), Seamus Keogh (Victoria), Matt Calder (NSW) and Harry Massey (Victoria).

Coach Matt Weeks believed while the impact of Valente, who has taken 46 wickets and made over 800 runs so far this season, was plain to see, the signs of team-wide improvement had already been clear last season.

“Cam (Valente) is a quality player and a quality bloke – we really tried to get good people first and foremost into the team in the pre-season and we’re seeing the benefits,” Weeks said.

Cam Valente (left) has arguably been the best player in Premier Cricket since signing with Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I’m in awe sometimes at how good Cam actually is though, he approaches the game so well and it’s a privilege to be able to watch him every weekend.

“It’s been a gradual build for us as a whole and the signs have been there, I just think we needed to add a couple pieces for us to get going this season.”

It has been a swift turnaround for Port Adelaide this season, the side sitting just outside the finals frame three weeks ago after a tough loss to eighth-placed Prospect.

However, strong batting led by Valente, and a dangerous bowling attack led by Valente, quick Nick Benton and Seamus Keogh, has seen the Magpies become one of the form teams of the competition.

“We’ve just been ultra competitive this season, we haven’t lost a matchup in the first innings yet,” Weeks said.

Port Adelaide celebrates winning the SACA Premier Cricket Twenty20 Cup over East Torrens in season 2022. The side is aiming for two-day silverware this season. Picture: Simon Stanbury

“Our bowling has really come together as well which has been key because we’ve been able to put a lot of runs on quickly throughout the whole campaign.

“It’s just been great to watch the team in all areas of the game and we don’t have any egos at our club which has helped, everyone gets along from the D Grade to the A Grade.”

Weeks’ side currently sits a game behind league leaders Kensington but has played an extra fixture than most of the competition, meaning results against Northern Districts and Sturt are a must.

“I believe we can definitely make noise in finals if we qualify, but the competition is very good and very even right now so we need to take it one week at a time,” he said.

“The standard is really good, anyone can beat anyone and Northern Districts recently beat us in one-day cricket so we need to be at our best.”

The Magpies will take on the Jets from 10.30am this Saturday.