GDCA 2018-19: Ashfield in B Grade finals contention again
ASHFIELD’S rise from the bottom of Gisborne and District Cricket Association B Grade to premiership contention was one of the stories of last summer.
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ASHFIELD’S rise from the bottom of Gisborne and District Cricket Association B Grade to premiership contention was one of the stories of last summer.
The Sunbury club finished more than 24 points adrift at the foot of the B Grade ladder in 2016-17, enduring a winless campaign.
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But Ashfield enjoyed a dramatic spike last season, claiming eight wins to qualify for finals.
The club has proven its success was not a flash in the pan in the early rounds of 2018-19, defeating Gisborne, East Sunbury and Rupertswood to sit fourth.
“It’s been a really promising start. We’re hopefully looking at big things this year,” captain-coach Mace Green said.
Ashfield scored the sixth most runs in the GDCA second tier last season (2304), more than 1000 less than grand finalists St Anthony’s (3447) and Wallan (3347).
Green said he had put the onus on the club’s batsmen to lift their output and provide greater support for Ashfield’s potent bowling attack.
“It was mainly our batting last year that let us down, which this year has been pretty even across the board,” he said.
“We’re not focusing on one person to make the runs for us. There’s been an even contribution across the team.”
Jason King (429 runs) was the only Ashfield batsman to rank in the top-20 run scorers of 2017-18.
At the midway point of Round 6, Corey Woolley (146 runs), Ethan Travers (118), Mark Muir (115) and Green (93) are in that company.
“We’ve had a bit higher standards on getting to training and doing that side of things,” Green said.
“In previous years, people weren’t rocking up to training and still getting selected because they were playing ones. This year, those that have done the work are getting the rewards on the field.”
Green said he expected the top-three sides — Riddell, St Anthony’s and Rupertswood — would pose the greatest threat to his side’s flag aspirations.
Ashfield (127) has a fight on its hand to avoid a Round 6 defeat against Bacchus Marsh (3-51).
Rupertswood posted 252 against East Sunbury and Riddell will resume at 0-12 chasing St Anthony’s 268.
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