NMCA 2018-19: Bundoora Park out to prove it belongs after Jika Shield promotion
BUNDOORA Park could only knock on the door to NMCA Jika Shield for so long before it lurched open.
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BUNDOORA Park could only knock on the door for so long before it lurched open.
The Parkers claimed a long-awaited Quick Shield premiership in a thrilling grand final against Preston YCW District last season, earning promotion to the North Metro Cricket Association’s top grade.
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After being beaten in three deciders between 2012 and 2016, there were emotional scenes as Bundoora Park realised it was headed for the promised land of Jika Shield.
Captain-coach Jake Bennett has spent the off-season planning to ensure his side capitalises on an opportunity it worked so diligently to earn.
“We have got a pretty high standard and now we are up there, we don’t want to come down easily,” Bennett said.
“It’s going to be tough, but we think our side and our club is an A Grade side in the Northern Metro.
“We want to stay there for as long as we can. We have got heaps of juniors coming through and a good junior base.
“If we can keep them and get them to play A Grade cricket, that’s our goal.”
While Jika Shield will be unfamiliar territory, Bundoora Park knows several of its rivals well.
The club competed against Preston Baseballers and Heidelberg West in the NMCA second tier, while Preston YCW District has also been promoted after Lalor Warriors’ withdrawal.
“That’s four teams we have played a lot of cricket against and know a lot of their players,” Bennett said.
“We think we match up quite well. It’s the teams like Rivergum and (North Brunswick) Rosebank that we haven’t played against and haven’t watched much cricket of, that is going into the unknown. We know they are both exceptional teams.”
Bennett will be one of the prized wickets for bowlers this summer after compiling 904 runs at 82.2 in the NMCA second tier in 2017-18.
Opening bowler Daniel Francis (knee) will be monitored throughout pre-season and veteran Anthony Hill has considered retirement.
“The last four or five years we have had a similar side and we just haven’t been able to get there,” Bennett said.
“Which I think has been the hardest part.”
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