General News
21 October, 2021
Tigers ready for top grade test
WOORNDOO Cricket Club president Shane Jubb admits it’s a natural progression behind the Tigers decision to return to South West Cricket’s top grade this season.
WOORNDOO Cricket Club president Shane Jubb admits it’s a natural progression behind the Tigers decision to return to South West Cricket’s top grade this season.
The Tigers, who won last season’s division two flag, will replace Simpson in division one this year, nine seasons after dropping out.
“We’ve looked at divvy one for a couple of years,” Jubb said.
“We started a rebuild four years ago from divvy three forward, bringing young guys in and playing them.
“We got into the grand final in divvy three so we put a divvy two side in and went well the first year.
“We made the grand final and then won it last year so I just think it’s time for us to step up. There’s no better time coming off the back of a grand final win.”
The Tigers finished 10th in its last appearance in division one in 2013/14 but spent further time in the lower grades before starting its progression.
Stints back in division three eventually followed by seasons in division two gave the club an opportunity to give its younger players the chance to build a foundation of cricket the Tigers now want to capitilise on.
“We had a lot that had only played a couple of seasons of cricket so coming into this year they’ve got three or four seasons under their belt,” Jubb said.
“I think they’re capable of stepping up to play the top grade of cricket so we’ll give them a crack at it.
“We’re not going to be world beaters in divvy one this year but if we win 35 to 40 per cent of our games I’d be pretty happy with that starting off.
“With the year it’s been, it’s been hard with recruiting but I think moving forward we’re going to be better off having a divvy one side than having a divvy two.”
From a playing perspective, Judd believes the Tigers can make inroads featuring at the top level.
The push from 40 to 50 overs will provide both a physical and mental challenge, while their depth will be tested as they take on the association’s best.
“I think they’ll benefit heaps, the players. I think they’re quite capable and ready to go up,” Jubb said.
“I don’t think they’re going to get any better in their cricket playing divvy two and they’re capable of going to divvy one.
“Their cricket is going to improve with Grant (Cameron) coaching them, but we will try and get a bit of extra coaching help and move forward from there (too).
“I think we’ll be a far better side in a few years time.”
Jubb said the club was looking forward to taking on the likes of powerhouses Mortlake and Pomborneit this season.
He said those contests will hold his club’s future in good stead as it aims to entrench itself in the top tier.
“We’re probably going to get a few touch-ups and it’s a challenge moving forward,” Jubb said.
“But we look at those games as challenges and as stepping stones to where we’ve got to be in a couple of years time to be in that top level (of clubs).
“We work with that and we’ll take things out of the games we lose by a lot and move forward from there and see how far we can go.”