VSDCA 2020-21: Williamstown’s Sean Sturrock and Brent McMinn finding form

VSDCA club Williamstown had a mixed start to the season, but there is reason for optimism as their stars rediscover their form.

Williamstown captain-coach Brent McMinn is one of the VSDCA’s leading batsmen. Picture: Hamish Blair

Two of Williamstown’s leading players are rediscovering some of their best form at the right time as the club’s First XI chases a third premiership in four seasons.

Star recruit Sean Sturrock, who returned to the Seagulls in the off-season after a 15-year career with Premier Cricket outfit Melbourne, endured a challenging re-introduction to the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.

The left-arm spinner had just four wickets to his name at the Christmas break but has since returned hauls of 2-23 against Ivanhoe and 3-21 against Taylors Lakes, along with 4-16 against Hoppers Crossing in a Twenty20 fixture.

With four rounds remaining in the home-and-away season, Williamstown captain-coach Brent McMinn said he was excited about what Sturrock could deliver in coming weeks.

“He’s been pretty unlucky, Sean, with his bowling this season but he’s starting to come good at the right time,” McMinn said.

“Hopefully he just keeps rolling on and bowling well because he’s a massive asset to our team.

“He’s had a tough year, I suppose, so far. But the good players play well in big games.”

Former Premier Cricket batsman McMinn, who hammered 667 runs last season, is also providing reason for optimism.

The classy right-hander has two half-centuries to his name in 2021 and hit an unbeaten 54 in Saturday’s seven-wicket victory over Taylors Lakes to boost his tally to 225 runs at 32.1 after a quiet start to the campaign.

“We had a baby at Christmas, so I was concentrating on that a little more than the batting,” McMinn said.

“Cricket was coming second to the family, but now we’re settled … I’m concentrating on cricket a bit more and putting my batting together.

“I’m coming good at the right time of year as well, so hopefully I can get on a good roll and that will help the team.”

The Seagulls claimed three wins from four matches through January, leaving them in fifth spot with a 5-2-2 record.

The run home includes clashes against runaway ladder-leader Kew (February 13) and fourth-placed Brunswick (February 20).

McMinn said his team was eyeing second position, with Plenty Valley, Preston, Brunswick and Williamstown separated by only three points.

“Having that second chance in finals in critical I reckon,” he said.

“Certainly with the shorter format, and you might have a bit of rain and things can happen … there’s three or four teams who can get their hands on second and I think everyone will be having a crack at it.

“We’re certainly one of those teams looking to take second spot on the ladder.

“Without playing our best cricket, we were still finding ways to win. That’s the sign of a good team.

“Now we’re starting to play some really good cricket and win games easily.”

The Seagulls will face Coburg at Coburg City Oval in Round 10.