ALLANSFORD has its sights set on returning to Warrnambool and District Cricket Association finals after one of its most productive off-seasons in years.
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The Gators could have as many as four new faces in their side when they take on Nirranda in a round one Twenty20 match at Nirranda Recreation Reserve.
The influx started with paceman Ben Boyd, a regular Melbourne Country Week representative, who returns to Allansford after a stint with Russells Creek.
All-rounder Sam Hickey has crossed from Heytesbury Rebels, linking up with former Timboon Demons football teammate Kyall Timms.
Tristan Reid joins from Old Carey, while Ashley Dorricott hails from Werribee Centrals. Both are pace options, with Dorricott a left-armer who can also bat.
Gators coach Stephen Blacker said the recruits would add bowling depth to a side which relied so heavily on Kyall Timms last season.
Timms, who has relinquished the captaincy to Nick Maddison, took 32 wickets in 2013-14. Spinner Matt Brophy was the next best with 11.
“We were disappointed we didn’t make the finals (last season). Obviously we needed to beat Russells Creek in the last game and didn’t,” Blacker said.
“Having said that, we were short of bowlers and we’ve picked up Ben. He’s arguably the best bowler in the league, and Ashley, Tristan and Sam.”
Blacker said Allansford could also have a South African recruit, an all-rounder, in its mix. Although the deal is still to be finalised.
He believed improvement from the Gators’ young brigade and players in their second season with the club would also spark a rise up the ladder.
“We’re hoping for natural improvement in young blokes like Matt Brophy,” he said.
“He looks set for a pretty big season, and Hugh McCluggage.
“And Sam McCluggage, he’s committed for the whole season, whereas last season he had work commitments.”
Allansford will contest the WDCA Hopkins conference against Nirranda, Merrivale, Nestles, Brierly-Christ Church and Dennington.
The Merri conference has reigning premier West Warrnambool, Wesley-CBC, East Warrnambool-YCW, Russells Creek, Woodford and Port Fairy.
The season starts on October 11. There are 15 rounds, split evenly between Twenty20, one-day and two-day matches.
Results in all formats count towards the overall standings, although there are separate ladders and finals for the Twenty20 and one-day competitions.
n Dennington batsman Nick King and West Warrnambool all-rounder Ben Threlfall are putting their names forward for state selection this week.
The WDCA teenagers are taking part in Cricket Victoria’s (CV) annual underage series at Cobram and Barooga, which started Monday and wraps up today.
CV selectors use the series as the basis to pick under 17 and under 19 squads for national championships during the summer.
Nick, representing Country against Metro at under 17 level, made an unbeaten 51 in a 50-over match on Tuesday.
Ben, part of a Victorian academy side taking on the ACT at under 19 level, posted 53 not out in a Twenty20 match on Monday.
