VSDCA 2021-22: Werribee adds Hamish Winter-Irving and Nathan Taylor

A former Victorian Second XI paceman and a key batter have given the Tigers a mighty boost ahead of the Victorian Subbies season.

Footscray bowler Hamish Winter-Irving sends one down. Picture: Mark Wilson

Six months on and the Bees are still buzzing.

Werribee’s amazing against-the-odds premiership triumph in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association North-East group last season was described as one of the most remarkable grand final triumphs in VSDCA history.

The tenacious Tigers came from fifth to claim the premiership, toppling a star-studded Kew side boasting former Test player John Hastings in the decider.

Now Werribee looks like fielding an even stronger side in 2021-22.

A pair of star recruits, in Footscray opening bowler Hamish Winter-Irving and Melton batter Nathan Taylor, should see Werribee as a leading contender in the strong South-West group.

Winter-Irving is a former Victorian Second XI player with 207 Premier Cricket First XI wickets to his name, and he will give opposition batters plenty of headaches while also being a valuable asset in the Tigers’ middle order.

Werribee celebrates its remarkable VSDCA North-West group premiership.

Melton batter Nathan Taylor is another excellent pick-up for Werribee, strengthening a quality top order led by gun bat Shaun Dean, who has scored over 1100 runs in the past two seasons.

Wicketkeeper Matt Gudde, after only playing four games last season, will play a full season.

The well respected Chris Hennessy, who captained Werribee’s Second XI last season and also played in the ones premiership, has taken over as senior coach.

Shaun Dean of Werribee batting. Picture: Hamish Blair

Tim O’Brien, who was captain-coach last season, will continue as First XI captain and will have plenty of talent at his disposal, including star spinner Michael Kelly, who was man-of-the-match in last season’s grand final.

Werribee’s only loss, though, is a significant one.

Bowler Brad Apps, who grabbed three wickets in the grand final and crucially sent down the pressure-packed final over, has retired.

“And a few of our young players from our Second XI have gone to Premier Cricket,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien says Werribee is a stronger side “on paper’’ than last season and its challenge will be to turn potential into performance.

“We’re playing in the South group this year, against teams like Caulfield who have won the last two premierships. It should be a ripping season,’’ O’Brien said.

“Probably on paper we look stronger but when you get new players in it’s about gelling your squad. The proof will be in the pudding.”

The Tigers travel to Altona in Round 1 and are again away to Caulfield in Round 2.