WGCA: Cranbourne Meadows vows to fight on

West Gippsland Cricket Association has reached out to the depleted Rebels, who haven’t been able to field a First XI side for two weeks.

Cranbourne Meadows has experienced highs and lows in the past decade.

Cranbourne Meadows won a First XI flag less than three years ago.

It celebrated an Under 16 premiership only last season.

Yet, for the past two weeks Cranbourne Meadows has only been able to field one side — in WGCA D Grade.

It no longer has junior teams.

In all, the Rebels have two senior teams this season but have had to forfeit their Premier side over the past two games due to Covid.

It’s a far cry from 2018-19 season when Cranbourne Meadows won the District flag and had five senior sides as well as three junior teams.

West Gippsland Cricket Association president Rob Hansen says efforts are being made to ensure the club continues into the future.

“We sat down with them and discussed the future and how we could help,” Hansen said.

“That’s an ongoing situation. Hopefully they’re able to organise themselves for next season.”

Hansen said Cranbourne Meadows had four players in their First XI test positive for Covid last week.

“We decided to call it a draw, six points each,” he said.

“But they had to nominate the names of the players so that we knew what was going on.

“So that’s happened unfortunately two weeks in a row.

“I think they’re right for this next match.”

Tooradin, which was to have played Cranbourne Meadows on February 5, has appealed to the association, in the hope of getting the full 12 points.

“We are meeting with Tooradin on Wednesday night to discuss the situation,” Hansen said.

Hansen said Cranbourne Meadows had given assurances it would try to boost numbers for next season.

“They have assured us that they’ve started putting protocols in place to recruit for next season,” he said.

“Some people are organising visas for people to come out. They’ve given us some assurance that they’re going to recruit locally.”

Hansen said it had been a difficult season for many clubs, with Covid reducing numbers.

“This season we’ve had at least half a dozen forfeits, probably eight,” he said.

“We’ve got the two in Premier but we’ve had about six forfeits in other grades throughout the season.

“Some are Covid related, some are not. It’s been a difficult time for some clubs getting all their players out on the park.”

Gembrook Cricket Club only has one senior side at the moment, in C Grade.

The WGCA has also offered to help Gembrook.