FOLLOWING an anticipated slower start to the season, Gol Gol captain-coach Adam Thomson feels his side are starting to find momentum.
The SCA heavyweights unusually lost two of their first three games, but with more first-choice players becoming available they have taken back-to-back victories.
This round, however, they face a Coomealla Wentworth side full of confidence following their recent win over Mildura West.
Just 23 runs separated the teams when they faced each other in a one-day match three weeks ago, which Gol Gol won.
“We’ve been a bit slow to start the season, which we were expecting given the unavailability we had, but the side feels like it’s gotten stronger each week and we’re heading in the right direction,” Thomson said.
“It was obviously pretty close in the recent one-dayer we had.
“They got a great win and that was with Justin Freeman unavailable to play the second week, they managed to bowl West out without arguably their best bowler so we’re definitely wary of them.
“Their new import is here too and he looks pretty handy as well.”
That new import is Musa Ilyas, who took two wickets with his spin bowling and made 36 not out in the Blues’ second innings.
Gol Gol, however, will welcome a recruit of their own into this week’s line-up in opening batsman Greg Beresi.
A former Western Australian under-17 representative, Beresi has forged a strong career which included captaining East Fremantle’s first grade side to a premiership in 2022/23.
In the absence of some senior players, others have stood up, with Kain Berryman being one of those in the victory against East.
The 18-year-old took three important top-order wickets before scoring 43 after being tasked with opening the batting to see out the final overs of day one.
“He’s only a younger fella but he took six-for in the second division premiership last year and has been pretty impressive so far,” Thomson said.
“He’s from Broken Hill originally but has been with us since under-13 level and he’s played a bit of Mallee Murray rep cricket as well, so we’re excited for what he can do.”
With three rounds remaining until the Christmas break, Thomson believes a place inside the top four by the end of the year will be a good position.
Coomealla Wentworth and Gol Gol collide at George Gordon Oval from 1pm today.
