COVER POINT - Weston Creek Cricket Club

WCCC — Our FutureHaving joined the club some four years ago, Ihave watched with interest the success of ourthird, fourth, fifth and sixth grades. As youwould expect, success in terms of premiershipsand club championships has beenachieved and celebrated, thanks mainly tothese grades. Fourth grade in particular hasbeen the cornerstone of much of our success.For the first time in many years the club hadonly one grade playing off for a premiership.Congratulations to the sixth grade side ontheir win.Both first and second grade have had theiropportunities, but both can be accused of notbeing able to hammer the final nail into theopposition coffin.Put simply, I believe we lack depth in ourfirst and second grades and with it a desire tocompete to our full potential. Opportunity atthe first and second grade levels has cometoo easy for many players; that's not to saythat they are not capable of holding theirpositions at these levels. However, if youconsider the injection of a little more depthand experience, the natural force of humannature will impose an attitude to performabove the levels achieved to date.We have an excellent group of junior players,many of whom have the potential to play firstgrade and beyond. These players, however,need to be groomed and exposed to the grandart of winning.A lot of discussion again took place over thecourse of the year, while 'blowing the frothoff a few', about why the 'Creek' can't seemto capture the elusive first grade flag. In factmany members within the club and even afew observers external to it would say 'Ohthe Creek are talking about it yet again, butwill they get any further than that'.Well let me tell you that the committee hasbeen vigorously exploring ideas and options.However, before even thinking about whattype of players need to be attracted to theclub, we must secure the benefit of a majorsponsor. Before going on, it should be saidthat the club will not be attempting to buy apremiership,; rather it will be looking forcommitment from a sponsor over a three yearperiod, and similarly any player it may sign.Members of the committee are about toembark upon a campaign which willhopefully lead the Club into greater thingsnext season.The influx of 'new blood' in itself will notcure our problems. Players and membersmust expect and accept that a change in ourapproach is inevitable — 'new blood' breedsnew ideas, culture, experience and hopefullysuccess for all. I am sure we would all love tosee the day, in the not too distant future,where all grades are competing for apremiership.Col HunterClub CaptainThe Oval (1882)Boyle took the ball; he turned; he ran; hebowled,All England's watching heart wasstricken cold.Peate's whirling bat met nothing in itssweep.The ball put all his wickets in a heap .. .John Masefield (Poet Laureate)The Bluebells, and Other Verse(1961)6 Cover Point, April 1994