GDCA 2018-19: Riddell requests demotion to B Grade after exodus of senior players
PERENNIAL McIntyre Cup contender Riddell will begin its rebuild in B Grade this summer after an exodus of First XI talent.
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PERENNIAL McIntyre Cup contender Riddell will begin its rebuild in B Grade this summer after an exodus of First XI talent.
The Bombers’ request to play in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association second tier has been granted, with St Anthony’s promoted to fill their place.
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Riddell has won two McIntyre Cup premierships in the past seven years and has not missed A Grade finals since 2012-13.
But the loss of at least seven First XI players, headlined by captain-coach Mick Allen, forced the club’s hand.
While buoyed by the junior talent which who will emerge as senior players in coming years, Bombers president David King said the club had little option but to field its First XI in B Grade.
“The loss of those guys, plus having a bunch of juniors, we weren’t going to be competitive enough in McIntyre,” King said.
Riddell’s youthful squad will be led by veteran Daniel Fisk, who has replaced Allen as captain-coach.
King said dropping out of McIntyre Cup was “not a decision we made lightly”.
“We’ve been there for such a long time and been competitive,” he said.
“Particularly the last four or five years, we have been in finals or thereabouts.
“It’s not something we wanted to do … we did know there was another clubs around that were keen to step up to it and we felt were realistically stronger than us too.
“Just a decision for the club that we will rebuild. We’ll be a youthful side for a little while, hopefully keep them and get back up there.”
King said he believed only one of the departing players — Craig Ballinger — would join another GDCA club.
The new structure has been released to clubs, with B Grade premier Wallan the other new club in McIntyre Cup for 2018-19.
Macedon’s firsts will play in C Grade after finishing eighth in B Grade last season, while Lancefield has dropped from McIntyre Cup to the third tier.
The top-three teams from C Grade — Sunbury United, Rupertswood and Woodend — were promoted as a result of the reshuffle.
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