CARDROSS Cricket Club has vowed to return to the Red Cliffs Cricket Association after being forced into recess this season because of a lack of players.
The Lions gave themselves right up until the start of the season last week to field a team. But not enough players could be secured to commit to the 2023-24 campaign.
A-Grade is now a five-team competition, with two matches and a bye each week shared between Ouyen Rams, Tempy Tigers, Robinvale Euston, Nursery Ridge and Millewa.
President Seth Lanigan said there was no lack of trying to field a team, but he already has an eye on the Lions rejoining the competition in 2024-25.
“We put out radio ads but they didn’t seem to work, and just approaching others didn’t seem to work,” he said.
“Maybe it’s just not what people want to do at the moment. We gave ourselves every opportunity but we just couldn’t get enough commitment to field a team every week.
“We’ve been a one-side club for four seasons now so unfortunately there won’t be a Cardross presence at all this season.
“We’re definitely aiming to be back next season, it’s not in our nature not to try.”
Those who had committed to play for Cardross will join other Red Cliffs clubs for the season.
“We basically said to the guys who were going to play to head out to the other clubs who need the numbers to help out and enjoy themselves for the season, with the thought of coming back next year once we’re up and running again,” Lanigan said.
“I think it will just a matter of us trying to approach people to play one-day cricket in a bit more of a relaxed environment, that’s probably the main advantage we have as a competition.”
An A Grade grand final rematch between Ouyen and Tempy at Blackburn Park headlines the contests on Saturday, while last week’s winners Nursery Ridge and Robinvale Euston face off at the Onion Patch at Quandong Park.
Millewa has the bye.
