St Bernard’s snare star wicketkeeper-batsman from VSDCA rival

A move west has delivered St Bernard’s one of the recruiting coups of the VSDCA off-season with star keeper-batsman Rory Collins signing on.

Rory Collins in action for Plenty Valley. Picture: Hamish Blair

A change in work commitments has delivered St Bernard’s one of the recruiting coups of the VSDCA off-season.

The Snowdogs have secured Plenty Valley’s star wicketkeeper-batsman Rory Collins for 2021-22, a huge boost to the club’s hopes of returning to Subbies finals this season.

Collins’ friendship with Chris Spinella was also a major factor in his decision to move to Murphy Oval.

The former Greenvale, Essendon and Dandenong Premier cricketer had an outstanding season in 2020-21, scoring 552 runs at an average of 42.46 – including a brilliant 99 in the preliminary final loss to Werribee.

He also snared 17 catches and seven stumpings with the gloves, earning him a place in Leader’s Subbies Team of the Season.

St Bernard’s president Brendan Davey was delighted a talent such as Collins had fallen into the club’s lap.

“Rory is a fantastic young man and he’s got a few connections at the club,” Davey said.

“His work circumstances recently changed, so a move to the Essendon area was something he was happy to entertain.

“It was the right fit for him for now, which is great for us, because a batsman is something we’ve been after for a while now.

“He is a wicketkeeper as well – I’m not sure what Kyle’s plans for him that will be left to pre-season – but he’s a star batsman of the competition and we’re delighted he’ll come into our top order.”

Collins played 40 First XI games for the Bats after returning from England in 2018-19, scoring 1302 runs.

Strengthening the top order was a major off-season focus for St Bernard’s after missing finals in the North-West group.

After finishing third in 2019-20 the club fell to ninth last season.

The Snowdogs ranked eighth for runs scored in 2020-21 with Tristan Kassis the only batsman to surpass 300 runs, scoring 324 at 32.40 to rank 17th in the competition.

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Meanwhile, it’s a major blow to Plenty Valley which is coming off a fine season that saw the club return to finals and finish fourth after a heart-breaking preliminary final loss.

Collins will team up with old Greenvale teammate Kyle Adams who is also new to St Bernard’s this season having taken over as captain-coach.

Melbourne’s ongoing lockdown has meant the club has had to postpone its pre-season.

Davey said the club had locked in three practice matches in September in the hopes the season starts on time this year.