12/10/2023
PREMIER SEASON UNDERWAY TOMORROW
The Nelson Cricket Premier competition kicks off for our red men tomorrow, hosting Waimea Toi Toi United Cricket Club at Marsden Rec.
WTTU are fresh off a thrilling win against Nelson College in a game that was played in advance, and will be looking to continue their form with a young side.
The Dylan Eginton led, Ryan Edwards coached Stoke-Nayland side will have other ideas, however, and boast a side filled with a mixture of exciting young talent and seasoned veterans.
All 12 players are returning from last season, with only wicket-keeper/batsman Lucca Hemingway missing this week due to University commitments, he'll be taking his place behind the sticks and in the middle order as soon as he returns. The club will also get a welcome Christmas gift in the shape of promising left arm spinner Ben Neale, who is joining the club from 2024 (He is seeing out his calendar 13th schooling year with Nelson College) and will assume his place as a much needed front line spinner at Marsden Rec.
The Raxworthy twins, Finn and Jonty, will be looking to continue to push for Central Districts Cricket Association honours, and both will be hoping to pile the runs on for both club and province this season. Explosive batsman Ryan du Plessis returns from a South African winter and will also be hoping to add to some big scores from last season.
Experienced batsmen Chris Dittmer, Josh Smith, Ryan Edwards, Darius Skeaping and Dylan Eginton will round out an imposing batting list, with Eginton and Edwards expected to shoulder some bowling load as usual.
Big Tim O'Connor has had a thorough preseason and should hit the ground running, as good as any seamer in town on his day, he will have a big year. He'll get able assistance from Jared Silvester, as the pair race to 100 wickets for the club in very quick time, and youngster Cameron Neame.
Neale will be a nice addition to the side after Christmas, but with several likely Representative players in the squad it is expected that they'll need to call upon old timers Ben Homan and Brendan Hodgson as required, as well as some other quality from last seasons Second Grade championship winning side, an envious position to be in.
An massive thank you to our big group of sponsors and supporters at this early stage, with the addition of amazing local community supporters Brendon and Vicky Rae at Stoke New World since last season (full press release to follow next week).
The Car Company Nelson
The Turf Hotel
Stoke New World
Van And A Man Nelson
Total Decorating Nelson Limited
Nelson Building Society
Insite Aluminium Windows And Doors
Miki D's Gym
Mainland Foundation
Other Adult grades and Junior cricket are starting after Labour weekend, with Presidents grade being after this also.