Club builds around youth as cricket competition takes shape

AN INJECTION of youth has seen Tintenbar-East Ballina field a new-look side in the Far North Coast LJ Hooker League cricket competition this season.

The Bar have already beaten some of the better teams in the competition and should be in the mix for finals.

Spinner Abe Gibson took over the captaincy this year, while the likes of teenager Kai Dalli in the top-order with Harry Bull and Joseph Elphick in the bowling attack.

“We’re pretty happy with how we’ve started, we probably left some points out there in at least one game, but the club is in a healthy position,” Gibson said.

“It’s the first year that a lot of the younger guys have become regulars and they’re playing really well.

“We go into every game thinking we can win it and there hasn’t been a week where I don’t think we’re up to it.

“A combination of playing one-day cricket and the relegation system is definitely keeping teams on their toes.”

Tintenbar-East Ballina still has plenty of experience with all-rounder Abe Crawford and fast bowler Steve Leahy in the team.

Both have played in semi-finals, with the club searching for its first premiership in 20 years.

Gibson was voted in by committee as captain this year after arriving at the club from Newcastle three years ago.

“I had a mate that played at the club, and it was an easy decision,” he said.

“There were talks of taking over as captain this year, I was lucky that Abe Crawford had set the team up over the last few seasons and had it in really good shape for someone else to take over.”

The team has a home game against Alstonville and will play competition leaders Goonellabah Workers Sports before the Christmas break.