Two teams a goal for cricket club

FIELDING two teams is a target Heathcote Cricket Club will strive for leading into next season’s Castlemaine District Cricket Association action.

After several years in recess, Heathcote capped its return to play by being B-grade runner-up to Campbells Creek Colts.

Heathcote CC president, captain and opening batter for the B-grade team, Alex Williamson said amid the disappointment of a grand final loss there was a lot for the Saints to be proud of.

“To get a team back playing and playing so well was a fantastic result,” Williamson said of Heathcote’s run of nine wins, one loss, one tie, two no result in the home-and-away series.

“A lot of the guys are keen to go again.”

Top batsman Tim Gleeson scored 362 runs at 72.4 to earn the CDCA’s batting average award.

Highs of Gleeson’s season were 176 not out at Muckleford and an unbeaten 79 against Campbells Creek Colts on the Saints turf at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.

Spin bowler Nick Malavisi captured 14 wickets.

“Rylie Merkel and Sam Whitfield were two of our best batsmen all season and Rhys Ashen opened the bowling most games,” the skipper said.

In terms of recruiting, Heathcote had three or four players who had represented the Saints before.

“Oscar Johnston, Darcy Mawson and Zac Brown had never played cricket before.”

For the 2024-25 season, Williamson said the Saints would be pushing for two teams – A-reserve and B-grade.

Prospective recruits can contact the club via email, [email protected] or through the Facebook page.