NMCA 2018-19: Preston YCW District jumps at chance to rejoin Jika Shield and will target finals
PRESTON YCW District captain-coach Jaspreet Singh says a finals finish will not be out of reach for his club upon its return to Jika Shield this summer.
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PRESTON YCW District captain-coach Jaspreet Singh says a finals finish will not be out of reach for his club upon its return to Jika Shield this summer.
The Roosters, beaten in a thrilling Quick Shield grand final by Bundoora Park last summer, have jumped at the chance to fill the vacancy left by Lalor Warriors’ withdrawal from the top grade of the NMCA.
Preston YCW District claimed 10 wins from 14 games in Quick Shield last season, climbing from seventh on the ladder two summers ago to flag contention.
While the club ultimately fell just short on the big stage, Singh said his team was confident it could compete with the NMCA’s best sides.
“If we play to our strengths and all players are back this year that played last year, who knows?” Singh said.
“If we work hard and give more time to cricket, then hopefully we will get in the first four.”
The Roosters have not recruited heavily despite the jump in class and expect to field a similar team to the one which was beaten by one wicket in the 2017-18 decider.
Rubal Singh-Dhillon (551 runs and 26 wickets), Sanjay Bamel (467 runs), Ankush Sharma (412 runs), Arun Malik and Hardeep Bassi (24 wickets) were key figures in Preston YCW District’s success last season.
“It’s a different competition from Quick, so we’ll see how we go,” Singh said.
“The only thing is we have to work hard and we’ll do our best.”
Preston Baseballers and Heidelberg West featured in finals after being promoted last season, a feat Bundoora Park and the Roosters will be aiming to emulate.
“I played against Heidelberg West and Preston Baseballers and both teams are very good,” Singh said.
“It will definitely be competitive cricket in A Grade. It’s a good competition.”
Preston YCW was promoted alongside Bundoora Park after a player shortage forced Lalor Warriors to request relegation to D Grade.
The Roosters have spent the past three summers in Quick Shield after finishing bottom of the Jika Shield ladder in 2014-15.
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