Southern Cricket Association: Weily Park Rockers fight back against the odds

A Southern Cricket Association team can lay claim to being the fairytale story of the local cricket season after qualifying for the finals against the odds. Meet the Weily Park Rockers.

Weily Park Rockers Cricket Club are emerging as a great underdog story this season.

Weily Park Rockers are emerging as the fairytale story of the Tasmanian local cricket season.

In its first season in the Southern Cricket Association top grade, the Rockers have qualified for the finals.

They’ve managed to do it despite fielding just one team across all grades — the club doesn’t have enough players for two sides.

A place in the top grade was secured by winning last season’s second grade premiership, meaning two promotions in a row.

The Rockers finished the home-and-away season in fifth place with a record of eight wins and five losses and they’ll enter the finals with plenty of momentum after three victories in a row.

Club president Muthu Nachiappan said it was a “great achievement” for a club celebrating its 10th season in the competition.

“We are only a small club who is always looking to get better,” he said.

“Some of the keys to our success have been team bonding and the players always wanting to play for each other. There is a strong friendship there, everyone is always looking to improve.

“Since we have come into the competition, we have sometimes struggled for sponsorship but we are very thankful to those sponsors, supporters and players who have continued to support us.

“Hopefully our success can attract more people to our club for next season.”

On their way to a historic season, the Rockers have witnessed several players put together impressive seasons.

Vishwa Yahampath scored over 400 runs, including a massive 161 performance in the last game, which will see him enter the finals as one of the competition’s most in-form players.

Ravindu Mallikarachchige was the leading wicket taker with 26 scalps across all grades at an average of 27.38.

Bhashitha Yasendra has been an impressive all-rounder and is capable of turning any game on its head.

“We’re very lucky to have great playing talent,” Nachiappan said.

“It has been a very successful season so far, we feel like we belong in this competition.

“There has been a lot of great feedback from opposition clubs and players which you really enjoy hearing.

“Throughout the season, we’ve lost some games due to our batting but we really feel like we can chase much bigger scores now. We’ve been in most games and only had one bad loss against Wellington, so we’re ready for what’s ahead.”

Weily Park will take on New Norfolk in an elimination with the latter winning the previous meeting between the two sides.