Parra News August 31 2021

SPORT
Tuesday, August 31 2021
Parramatta scores Hackney coup
NATHAN TAYLOR
Parramatta’s chances of reaching
the Finals for the first time since
the 2018/19 season have received
a significant boost after signing talented
NSW and Penrith cricketer Ryan Hackney
for the upcoming season.
The 22-year-old left-hand batsman joins
Parramatta after a sensational Grade
career with Penrith, which started way
back in 2013 as a young teenager.
Hackney has been an important member
of Penrith’s first grade team for a number
of years, opening the batting when the
Cats won the Belvidere Cup in 2019.
Speaking with Parra News from a cricket
camp in the Northern Territory, Hackney
said it was a tough decision to leave
Penrith for their western Sydney rival.
“For me it was a pretty hard decision
because I love Penrith and had some great
memories there,” he said.
“I’m a Penrith junior, so it was a tough
decision in that regard, but I think for me
and where my career is at, I really want
to get the best of out myself and I feel at
Parramatta I can do that.”
Hackney, who’s been a member of the
NSW Blues for a number of years, said he
had several clubs chasing his signature
for next season but a close friendship with
Parramatta skipper Nick Bertus was the
deciding factor.
“I played a lot of Second XI for NSW with
Nick Bertus and I feel the two of us batted
really well together. I feel like we can
help each other and win games of cricket
together,” he said.
“There were other clubs in the mix, but
I’m pretty good mates with Bert off the
field, so I think that will help make the
transition a little easier too.”
Before Hackney straps on the pads for
Parramatta, he’ll spend the next few
months playing for Ipswich, alongside
Bertus, in the strong Brisbane competition.
With summer’s cricket season still in
limbo here in NSW due to the lockdown,
Hackney will use his time in the Sunshine
State to strengthen his connection with
Bertus.
“We’re really looking forward to playing
in Brisbane because the standard up there
is pretty good as there’s only 12 teams
while Sydney has 20,” Hackney said.
“The depth of players is a lot stronger, so
I’m really looking forward to it.”
Ryan Hackney has left Penrith to join Parramatta for the upcoming cricket season.
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