DVCA 2019-20: Heidelberg silencing doubters in Barclay Shield
Heidelberg has put itself in premiership contention against the odds in the top flight of the Diamond Valley Cricket Association after winning last season’s Money Shield flag, sitting pretty in second spot on the ladder.
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Promoted clubs seldom make an immediate impact with survival often the top priority.
But Heidelberg is defying the doubters as they chase a finals appearance against the odds in the top flight of the DVCA after claiming last season’s Money Shield flag.
The young Tigers were tipped to be a relegation contender, but instead they are a contender.
Heidelberg sits second on the Barclay Shield ladder – with premiership favourite Diamond Creek the only side ahead of it – and it is clear Justin Whitcher’s team fears no opposition.
“Diamond Creek I think are clearly the best side … they’re the team to beat as the ladder shows,” Whitcher said.
“But that doesn’t mean I don’t think we can beat them, and I think we can beat anyone else in the comp on our day.
“Once you get there (finals), anything can happen.”
While the top four, which also includes Epping and Plenty, have established a sizeable gap on the rest, complacency in a quality competition could prove fatal for the Tigers.
Heidelberg faces each of its top-four adversaries in the run home, along with Lower Eltham, in a testing build up to a potential finals campaign.
The Tigers qualified for consecutive grand finals in the second tier before earning promotion.
“I thought there was enough talent there to continue to improve because they’ve done that for two years, as long as we put the work in and trust the systems,” Whitcher said.
“I actually said to the president (Dean Turner) my aim was to be playing finals.
“But I think to be second at Christmas was surprising for a few.”
Heidelberg strengthened its line-up over the off-season with Sri Lankan pair Dhanuja Nandana and Pawan Edirisinghe key inclusions, along with Holy Trinity’s Zach Pett.
The Tigers’ bowlers have caused myriad headaches for batsmen, with Andrew Fotinopoulos (14 wickets) and Jack Ridewood (12) leading the way.
But in an ominous warning for its rivals, Heidelberg’s batting has been patchy.
“As far as I’m concerned, as a batting team we are underperforming,” Whitcher said.
“But what we have been able to do is cover each other a little bit by contributing. We don’t rely on two or three.
“We’ve probably relied on Pete Cashen and myself a lot the first few years, but now Brad Nihill contributes, Lachie Turner has improved dramatically and Lachlan Biggs, who opens, is probably the best under-18 kid in the comp nearly I reckon.
“It’s just an all-round team performance now. Peter and I have head really poor seasons to be honest. If we can get into gear, it only makes us stronger.
“The bowling has been outstanding. They bowl exactly how they’re asked to.
“And I think our fielding is as good as anyone out there.
“They’re just a good group of mates who want to succeed. They’ve just got that mindset that they don’t like losing now.”
North Eltham Wanderers will resume at 0-12 this weekend in pursuit of Heidelberg’s 178 in their clash at Eltham North Reserve.