CYMS’ all-rounder Sam Dwyer had every intention of sitting out the entire 2014-15 Orange District Cricket Association season, in a bid to refresh his mind and body after a gruelling rugby season.
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He lasted a week.
All it took to drag Dwyer, who remained vigilant regarding his sabbatical during the pre-season, back into the green and gold was one stint in the Wade Park grandstand watching his former side defeat Orange City by 60-runs in round one.
“Honestly I only went to watch because Katie (Dwyer’s partner) was getting her nails done, I guess I got the bug back a bit at the same time,” Dwyer laughed.
“Even so, with my situation outside cricket I can’t commit to every game and the guys know that, but I’m really keen for [tonight], it’ll be good to get back into properly.”
Dwyer returned to cricket last weekend in second grade, and even though he only scored three, his damaging reputation has led to his selection in CYMS’ Royal Hotel Cup clash with Orange City tonight.
“I love playing Orange City,” he said.
“We’ve developed a bit of a rivalry with those guys, our games are always a bit firey and you can guarantee it’ll be good hard cricket no matter what the format, or the situation.”
Dwyer said he thinks Orange City, 2012-13 Royal Hotel Cup champions and grand finalists last season, presents the biggest challenge for his side in the Twenty20 format.
“Their record in T20 cricket speaks for itself, they have been the most consistent short-form team over the past two seasons,” Dwyer said.
“It’s a cracking game to have first up, hopefully it draws a bit of a crowd. I’m not sure how Orange City will line up, their side seems to change a bit every year but no doubt they’ll be strong.”
The two sides have met just once in the short format over the past two seasons, in the 2012-13 grand final, which Orange City won by 17-runs after defending just 104.
"I guess based on that you would say City have had the wood on us a bit in this format," Dwyer said.
"They've beaten teams that have beaten us as well at different times, so we need to assume they'll be that strong again. You look at that one game we did play them, they just strangled us with the ball.
“We have to bat well. We know we can restrict teams to low totals, but that’s worth nothing if we don’t have runs on the board.
“No matter the result I have no doubt [tonight’s] game will go down to the wire, I’m looking forward to it.”
Tonight’s match starts at 6.30, at Wade Park.