DVCA: Epping’s Jordy Wilkins perfect start to season 2022-23

An Epping leg spinner has stunned in his First XI debut after several years of toiling away in the lower grades while a gun batsman showcased a different side of his game.

Take three stars out of a cricket team and you’d think your back would be against the wall.

But that wasn’t the case for Epping in the opening round of the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Barclay Shield season on Saturday.

With two debutantes, Jordy McKernan and Jordy Wilkins, alongside Steve Trowbridge, who was playing his first top grade game in four seasons, the Pingers scored a hard fought five-wicket win over competition newcomers Rosebank.

Epping chased down the hosts target of 9-114 inside 39 overs to get their season off to the perfect start.

Leg spinner Wilkins was front of the action with 3-24 from his eight overs while Rob Tinsley took 3-16.

In previous seasons, Wilkins has played predominantly in Epping’s lower grades.

Jordan Wilkins of Epping.Picture: Hamish Blair

Epping coach Daniel Bramich paid credit to Wilkins’ big off-season for his start to the season.

“He’s done the work all pre-season and earned his spot,” he said.

“He’s well in the frame to be in the First XI when the three boys we were missing come back. Jordy came on in the middle overs and took some really key wickets for us.

“The two boys on debut, Steve and another one of our young guys Tanar Peirce really set the standard for us in the field. We didn’t want them to do anything other than play their roles.”

With plenty of experience missing from the Pingers’ batting line-up, Nathan Gardiner stood down with an impressive 55-run performance.

“It was a really mature performance for a guy who is a shot maker and score quickly,” Bramich said.

“In the last couple of years, there were times where Nath would get bogged down and try to hit himself out of the situation. There was pressure on him to perform but he took it on board and did an outstanding job.

Bruno Piraina of Rosebank gets a shot away. Picture: Hamish Blair

In other results, Macleod got its season off to a perfect start with a shock victory over reigning premier Riverside.

New captain Tim Wise led the way for the home side with an unbeaten 96 as Macleod chased down its target of 155 with an over to spare.

Wise found strong support from debutant Isaac Spencer-Jones who posted 22 runs off 52 balls as the pair shared an 81-run partnership.

UK product Spencer-Jones also took 2-30 as he debuted alongside Sam Grew.

Luke Costa top scorer for Riverside with 60.

Brad Mitchell and Damien Gattuso made their Heidelberg debuts on Saturday. Photo: Facebook.

Last season’s runner-up, Heidelberg, sent a message to the rest of the competition with a 66-run victory over North Eltham Wanderers.

Heidelberg posted 8-153 from its 40 overs as Brad Mitchell top scorer with 39 on debut.

Zach Pett did the damage with the ball taking 4-21 as the Wanderers were all out for 87.

Damien Gattuso also made his debut for Heidelberg.

Sam Sheehan of Rosanna. Picture: Hamish Blair

Rosanna’s powerful batting display ensured it marked down its status as a team to watch this season.

Against Banyule, the home side posted 9-191 from its 40 overs with captain Sam Sheehan leading the way with 67 runs from 78 balls at the top of the order.

Banyule struggled to get close reaching 8-139.

Rosanna wicketkeeper Tom Bourke claimed two dismissals on his debut.

Diamond Creek had no issues of their own, comfortably accounting for Research Eltham Collegians by eight wickets.

The visitors were all out for 112 after they went sent into bat with no player scoring higher than 20.

Reigning league medallist Dan Gilbert led the response with an unbeaten 40 for the home side.

Remarkably, all players in Diamond Creek’s First XI at the weekend having come through the club’s junior system.