Matt Sampson-Barnes, Max Melzer on tight BPCA A2 season

An unusual schedule mans the first month of 2023 will show plenty about who is a serious contender as we check in with two clubs right in the hunt.

The BPCA A2 competition is wide open with Winchelsea and Drysdale both still in the hunt. Picture: Mark Wilson

Halfway through the BPCA A2 season, premiership contenders are still stepping into the unknown as the season restarts on Saturday.

Due to a fixture that includes byes and weather, multiple teams in the top half of the ladder are yet to see top-half sides at the new year break.

A surprise packet this season, Wallington is yet to play against Portarlington, Drysdale or Barwon Heads.

Blake Dobbin sends one down for Drysdale. Picture: Mark Wilson

The Seagulls similarly have not played any of those other sides in the top four.

Below those top four teams, Winchelsea is within striking distance, sitting fifth, below Portarlington by seven points.

With games against Portarlington, Drysdale and Wallington to start the new year, Barwon Heads skipper Max Melzer said “it’s really hard to tell” where the competition sits and he will only start getting some “intel” about fellow A2 contenders now.

“I’m not too stressed about keeping tabs (on opponents), we will see who rolls up when we play them,” he said.

“I think sitting where we are sitting now we are a fair chance to be playing finals in some capacity so I reckon we will get a look at everyone in the home-and-away (season) and get some intel hopefully through playing against sides in the back half (of the season).”

Drysdale’s Nick Hallam has been in good touch. Picture: Mark Wilson

Barwon Heads and Drysdale shape as the teams to catch, with the two teams boasting the top three batters in A2 so far this season: Seagulls pair Jacko Mallett (311 runs at an average of 311), Matt Bode (281 at 140.5) and Hawk leader Nick Hallam (246 at 123).

Wallington has jumped up into the top-four under first-year captain-coach Matt Sampson-Barnes, who said his side is well on track to play finals.

“I think we are good enough to play finals, it just purely depends on availability over the next six games to where we finish,” he said.

“I think Barwon Heads and Drysdale will be a little bit out of reach for us in terms of our fielding and bowling. They are probably going to be a little bit stronger than us in those areas.

“I do feel confident we should make finals and after that, anything can happen really.”

Originally published as Matt Sampson-Barnes, Max Melzer on tight BPCA A2 season