Many junior cricketers are looking forward to this Friday’s opening of the 2012/13 MJCA season. 88104_04 Picture: DAMIAN VISENTINI
By ADEM SARICAOGLU
THE Melton Junior Cricket Association’s new season is due to kick off on 12 October.
With the West Saints going for three premierships in a row in the under-17 Twenty20 competition and Darley looking to dominate once more in the under-12s, league vice president Paul Davies says there is much to look forward to this summer.
“The association has teams from Darley and teams from Melton, and in the Under 17s we also have sides from Bacchus Marsh, Darley, Gisborne and Rupertswood, so we go out that far,” Davies said.
“One of the stronger sides would be the West Saints in the Under 17 competition.
“It’s only a new competition there and they’ve won the first two cups, so they’re going for three in a row.”
Davies also said he expects the Under 16s to again provide the closest and most even competition this season.
“The Under 16 competition has been spread out in the last couple of years,” Davies said.
“Melton South won it a couple of years ago and Melton Centrals won it last season, so they’ll be looking to go back-to-back again this year.”
The MJCA’s growth has also seen its best talent do well at representative level through the Western Spirit program and the Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union carnival in recent years, something Davies says will again be a focus this season.
The league has competitions for age groups ranging from Under 12s through to 17s.
“A lot of the sides are still looking for players and as an association we encourage anybody that’s interested in playing cricket to get in touch with one of their local clubs,” Davies said.
Davies said those interested may also contact MJCA president Chris Pleitner on 0448 675 662 for more information.
