A Need to Remain Focused

The season has reached November, and though the rain has once again washed away the Club's chances of holding aloft the Country Cup, the signs in the S.C.D.C.A. competition have been promising without raising false hopes. Outright victories for the top three Grades in the last round against Shellharbour have been eagerly accepted, but not without knowing the fact that they weren't as emphatic as they perhaps should have been.

First Grade have recovered from their poor first outing, and won their next two matches impressively, before having the anticipated clash with Warilla washed out last weekend.
At their best, with their strongest side on the paddock, First Grade can win this season's premiership. It's been a long time since we've been able to say that, but it's true. The team on a whole have the experience now. Marquee players Scifleet, Meurant and Jones are the keys, along with off-season acquisition Glenn Cleary, who is proving to be a real bonus for the side and the Club.
We certainly do not want to get ahead of ourselves. The second half of last season is proof of that. However, it needed to be said. Not since 1994/95 has our Club had any real opportunity to be considered a real threat to take out the First Grade premiership. It is not a cocky taunt. There is a real belief in the Club now, something Kiama are always loathe to throw out there in case it comes back to bite us in the arse. This season, believe it. The Cavs are coming.

Hurdles still need to be cleared, of course. Apart from Dale and Matt, the batting has still been too inconsistent, and the other guys need to find some runs, and quickly – not because of any great pressure from Second Grade, but just to contribute. Dale and Matt have big shoulders, but they won't be able to do it every week. Contributions from everyone is a vital and immediate responsibility of all the batting order.
The bowling attack seems to be settling nicely. Dale, Matt and Glenn, along with Josh and OB, will no doubt be the backbone of the team for the season. There is excellent variety between the five of them, and all are contributing to the cause.
This weekend will be a water test. Dale is in Dubbo with the Southern Zone squad, and Firsts will need to find runs and wickets from elsewhere. We'll all know more about our real chances after the round has been completed.

Seconds have won two of their three matches. Thirds have won both of their two games, last weekend's yet another of the 'lose 1st innings, win outright' scenarios that they got entangled in last season. Fourths haven't yet troubled the winning column yet, but have put together some impressive performances. Things appear rosy in the Garden of the Cavaliers. On the surface...

There is still a lot of work to be done. The Club needs to perform strongly in the lower Grades, to continue offering up possible solutions and alternatives to the top Grade. We need to be vigilant in continuing to win games well in the lower Grades, and to have players scoring runs and taking wickets. So far, individual performances have been winning matches for Thirds and Seconds – not team performances.As individuals, as teams, and as a Club, we need to remain focused through to the Christmas break. Everything looks promising on the surface at the moment. Let's not allow that to change through a slackening off in intensity. The start has been good. Let's make the next six weeks just as profitable.