Inconsistent, that’s the most apt way to describe Kinross’ start to the 2017-18 Orange District Cricket Association season.
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The students have produced a couple of encouraging performances, most notably their first round win over Cavaliers, leading many to suggest the talented, exciting Kinross is capable of pushing deep into the competition.
However, the two blues have been frustratingly lacklustre at times as well and because of that, skipper Fletcher Rose says his side has to learn to play consistently if its to prove its chops as a genuine post-season chance.
He wants that to start in Saturday’s clash against Cavaliers, at Kinross Main Oval, which is the students’ last before the Christmas break – they have the bye next weekend, helping alleviate the pressure of unavailability due to the school holidays.
“I think [Saturday is] a must-win game for us,” Rose said.
“That win in the first game was a really great way to start the season for Kinross and it’d be the perfect way to finish the first half of the season if we can win on the weekend.”
He admitted his side is somewhat up against the odds on Saturday though, with Steve and Tom Geyer both unavailable.
The father-son duo leaves a big hole in the students’ batting line-up, the Geyers are Kinross’ two leading run-scorers and Tom is third on the competition’s list with 133 at 44.33.
He’s only behind Orange City’s Shaun Grenfell and Cavaliers’ Josh Doherty.
Tom’s picked up four wickets this year too, leaving Rose short a part-timer as well.
“That does make it tough, they’re pretty crucial players,” Rose said.
“Beating Cavaliers in that first round does give us a bit of confidence as a side, but they’ve been playing some good cricket recently so it’ll be tough.
“They’ve got a really young side, they’re a bit like us in that way really, but we’ve seen their young players really stand up to the challenge. We’ll need to do that too.”
In Saturday’s other ODCA game competition leaders CYMS take on cellar-dwellers Centrals at Wade Park.
While CYMS are chasing a fourth victory from five starts Centrals are after their first, and Saturday’s clash also offers a chance for redemption after letting victory slip against the green and golds in round one.
Centrals had CYMS 5-25 and then 6-57 in that game, but took their foot off the gas and let the 2015-16 and 2016-17 premiers eventually post 182.
That was more than enough for victory, Centrals managed just 107 in reply.
Both games kick off at 1pm.