VSDCA 2018-19: St Bernard’s eyeing maiden finals berth
ST BERNARD’S underwent an extensive pre-season program as it targets a maiden Sub-District Cricket finals appearance.
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ST BERNARD’S underwent an extensive pre-season program as it targets a maiden Sub-District Cricket finals appearance.
The Snowdogs started their preparations in July, aiming to improve on consecutive ninth-placed finishes in their first season under new coach Nigel Freebairn.
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“If not for a couple of unexpected losses last year, it would have been finals,” Freebairn said.
“Personnel-wise, there’s not a lot of change required. It’s probably just about the way we go about things in terms of match awareness.
“Winning the important moments, understanding what we need to do.”
Only premier Wlliamstown (123) took more wickets than St Bernard’s (120) in the North-West group last season, but Freebairn knows the heavy lifting can’t be left to his bowling group again.
The club had been intent on bolstering its batting line-up after only Chris Spinella (383 runs) and Arosh Janoda (317) compiled more than 250 runs last summer, but is set to bank on improvement from within its own ranks.
“Last year bowling was our strength, particularly with Arosh,” Freebairn said.
“He took the lion’s share of the wickets.
“That was a thing I identified early, a deficiency in the batting.
“Just in the scores we weren’t making that I felt we should have been with the personnel we had.”
Janoda was the Snowdogs’ star performer in 2017-18, taking 38 wickets — including six hauls or four or more.
Freebairn said the Sri Lankan all-rounder had joined the club in pre-season for the first time as he looks to emulate his dominant campaign.
“We don’t take for granted what he did last year,” he said.
“Rather than being a side that relies on a couple of players, we’d like to spread the load and promote a bit of leadership and further potential matchwinners from within.”
St Bernard’s will chase 243 for victory against Box Hill this weekend after a stubborn lower-order lifted the Mustangs above 200.
The visitors were 6-133 at St Bernard’s College but their last six batsmen contributed 16 or more to set the Snowdogs a difficult target.
Spinella was the pick of St Bernard’s bowlers with 4-42 from 13 overs.
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