SHDCA FAST FACTS
PRESIDENT – Darren Rushton
A GRADE CAPTAIN-COACH – Jason Mangiameli
LAST A-GRADE PREMIERSHIP – 2020-212020-21
FINISH – Premiers
LEADING RUN SCORER – Gurmander Singh – 335 runs @ 27.92
LEADING WICKET TAKER – Robert Rush – 28 wickets @ 11.86FOR the first time in 10 years, Woorinen will go into an A Grade season being the hunted, not the hunter, following last year’s premiership.
Having been around the mark for a number of years, the Tigers finally broke through to taste the ultimate glory not once, but twice, in season 2020-21, having also claimed the McDonald’s T20 title prior to the Christmas break.
After last season’s success, Woorinen will no doubt fancy their chances of once again climbing to the top of the SHDCA ladder, having maintained all of their premiership players, as well as adding a couple of talented youngsters into the mix from within their junior program.
Mitch Uhlhorn is one such player who will spend more time in the seniors, with the talented all-rounder earmarked for a breakout season.
The Tigers have developed into a strong all-round team, particularly with their bowling attack. Youngster Robert Rush has developed into a very handy pace bowler, having taken 28 wickets at 11.86 to lead Woorinen’s wicket takers last season.
Add the variation and consistency of Guri Singh, Stefan Mangiameli and Glenn Violi and the Tigers have an attack capable of troubling any batting line-up.
While Woorinen’s strength in the past has been their bowling, it’s their batting which has improved over recent seasons and now sees them able to not only compete with, but beat the better teams.
In the past, the Tigers have relied heavily on club champion Dean Morpeth, however as captain Jason Mangiameli explained to The Guardian this week, Morpeth’s work commitments, and unavailability at times, has turned out to be a blessing not a curse for the reigning premiers.
“In a way, it’s been a positive over the last few seasons not having him (Morpeth) available all the time, as we’ve kind of learnt not to be as reliant on him as we have in the past – it’s good to know that we can still win games without him now as well,” Mangiameli said.
With no changes to their squad this season, Woorinen’s batting line-up should be fairly settled, with Mark Mangiameli and Glenn Violi at the top of the order and Morpeth, Jason Mangiameli, Singh, Cooper Fox and Angus Boyd-Law to all fill the middle order positions.
While winning back-to-back flags has proved problematic for sides in the SHDCA over recent seasons, it’s a challenge that the Tigers are ready to embrace, according to Mangiameli.
“Coming off a couple of premierships last season, I think we really want to reload and go again,” Mangiameli said.
“We haven’t lost anyone from last year’s team, we’re still fairly young in cricketing terms and to be honest, I can’t see a reason why we can’t be there or thereabouts again.”
“It was almost 10 years ago exactly since we had that dominant three-year period as a club and we had some pretty average years rebuilding in between – and although we’ve been competitive the last few seasons, it was just nice to finally break through and win one.”
“It was pretty special, not only for those who played, but for the club in general, because we’d worked towards it for a fair few years – it didn’t happen overnight, we had to work pretty hard to get there, but to know we’re capable of going all the way will just give us a little bit of extra confidence going into this season.
“WORDS FROM THE CAPTAIN – JASON MANGIAMELI
“We haven’t really gained anyone, but we haven’t really lost anyone either – we’ll be just looking to a few of the younger boys who are coming through to fight for a few spots and add a bit of depth. We’re obviously hoping to play finals and definitely contend for the title again that’s for sure.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Guri Singh – Is now one of the Swan Hill & District Cricket Association’s most dominant all-rounders and can win a game with either bat or ball. Was Woorinen’s leading run scorer last season with 335 runs – and was only two wickets shy of being their leading wicket taker as well.INS – None
OUTS – None
