Behind The Stumps: Boots out, bats are in for loyal Bulldogs

CLOSE links between Panmure's football and cricket sides are making life easy for skipper Paddy Mahony.

The batsman, also an assistant coach for the Bulldogs' football outfit, believes a strong core of players will be integral to the cricket club's success this season.

Mahony said a key core of eight was optimistic ahead of Saturday's Grassmere Cricket Association season-opener against Hawkesdale.

"Since I've been here for the last 10 years or so there's always been that really strong core," he said.

"We're best mates and Panmure people and that definitely helps roll on from one season to the next.

"It makes it easy as captain because they're reliable and are always keen to play both footy and cricket. There might be three or four guys you try to recruit but the main core is there."

Mahony praised the association's "late start". He said it meant players could create a better sport-life balance.

"We have about three or four byes throughout the year as well," he said.

"You've got to give people that balance."

Panmure couldn't have been dealt a more challenging hand for its opening match.

Reigning premier Hawkesdale is its opponent - but Mahony was optimistic his men could ruffle feathers.

"We're really looking forward to it. Hopefully the weather holds out because they're a good test for us," he said.

"We really need to get a decent score. You can train as much as you like but it's different when you're actually out there.

"We've bowled well over the years so getting a decent score on the board will be really important."

POOR weather forecasts have Warrnambool and District Cricket Association fans facing a second-successive week without action.

Between six and 10 millimeters has been forecast for Saturday, frustrating cricket leaders.

Warrnambool and District Cricket Association chairman Gordon McLeod on Wednesday urged clubs to be "more vigilant" in pitch preparation.

McLeod told Behind The Stumps he was bracing for inclement weather but hadn't given up hope.

"We're planning to get out there but if we have 10 millimetres of rain on Saturday it's going to be extremely difficult to get suitable conditions for cricket," he said.

"I'm not taking a shot at curators or clubs. It's about doing everything we can to play if it's possible and rain doesn't affect the centre or outfields."

McLeod said rainy forecasts for Friday and Saturday were concerning but that umpires and the board would wait until Saturday to make a judgement regarding fixtures.

FORMER cricketer-of-the-year Kory Howlett is shaping as one of Warrnambool cricket's most damaging recruits.

Howlett was sidelined with a knee injury last season but announced his return in style with a 92-run haul for Woodford in round two.

Woodford is still sweating on the return of several star players, but reinforcements are on the way.

Towering bowler Connor Richardson and Adam Wines are a chance to return after taking extra time to recover from an extended football season.

As for Howlett, he's one to watch. Can the all-rounder claim another cricketer of the year gong to add to an already sparkling CV? Don't write him off.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.