Barwon Heads locked and loaded for finals return

BY VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

BARWON Heads Cricket Club is poised to return to the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association (BPCA) semi-finals, and the skipper says the side’s variety of experience will play a crucial role at the backend of the season.

Barwon Heads First XI captain Max Meltzer said a good blend of age groups had been a major positive for the Seagulls this season, with his side securing a finals appearance for the first time since the 2019-20 season.

“Some older players, cool heads that have won flags, played well in big games, and then young blood, who have come up together through our junior set-up, have provided great energy and enthusiasm to the team,” Meltzer said.

“Our mindset for the remainder of the season won’t change too much. [We want to] develop and grow individually and as the collective, have fun and enjoy ourselves while doing so.”

Barwon Heads has a pair of two-day matchups remaining on the season: firstly against Barrabool, then against neighbouring town Ocean Grove in Round 14.

The Seagulls captured its ninth win of the season last weekend in a well-rounded five-wicket win over Jan Juc on the back of Darcy Hewitt’s five-wicket haul and Brent McMinn’s 116-ball half-century.

The win stakes the side as a genuine flag contender, equalling them in wins with four-time reigning premiers Anglesea (the Roos leading by three points on the ladder).

“It was a hard-fought win on Saturday,” Meltzer said.

“Jan Juc came within a couple of runs of winning the A1 flag last year, and are a formidable opponent, with quality players throughout their line-up.

“The match was played with finals-type intensity. Jan Juc went down swinging.”

The Barwon Heads skipper reflected on the side’s ambitions for the season.

“We all turn up to training week-in week-out, do the extras, and try to improve to give ourselves every chance to win a flag – that is the carrot,” he said.

“A lot needs to go right for this to eventuate, but to be in the hunt at this time of the year while the whips are cracking is a great motivator to continue to work hard.”

Barwon Heads will start a two-day game against Barrabool at RT Fuller Oval from 1pm tomorrow (Saturday, February 17).