Jan Juc bolster batting stocks

JAN Juc Cricket Club has announced two new recruits ahead of the coming Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association (BPCA) season.

Brothers Hamish and Jordi Withers will be part of the club’s attempt to improve on their 2019/20 second-place finish.

Hamish has played for the club before. He was only available for four games at the beginning of last season but was the Jan Juc’s third-highest run-scorer the season before.

Jordi previously played for the Victorian School team and later represented the Northern Territory in the Under 17 National Male Championships. He arrives at the club after enjoying a superb 2019/20 season with Grampians Cricket Club, in which he scored four centuries and averaged more than 60.

Senior team coach Jordan Graham said the new signings were partly due to happenstance, but also the positive environment at the club.

“It just sort of worked out. He (Jordi) had offers to play premier cricket this year but he wanted to build a house and finish his apprenticeship before travelling.

“I think it’s also just the friendships that we have. Hamish was recruited for the club a few years back and then had to move home. He has come back because of the friendships he has kept and the culture we’ve got there. I think that’s the reason that once we’ve got them it’s hard to get rid of them.”

Jan Juc were set to face Anglesea in the grand final last season. But as the coronavirus spread, the match was cancelled, and Anglesea were announced as league champions, having finished atop of the table during the regular season.

Graham said the new signings have helped put the club in a strong position ahead of the coming season.

“We’re confident we’ve obviously improved our list from last year. It’s always my goal to win a premiership. We’re confident that Jordi is going to bring a lot of runs with him and Hamish is that opening bat that we’re going to really need. With no one leaving from last season, our batting depth is going to be really strong.”

Jan Juc are set to begin training on August 9 at Barwon Valley.

Juniors and seniors interested in joining the club can phone Graham on 0457 024 071.