A welcome change of innings

For Nondies-Cohuna, it was a long road to a first win in 30 matches last Saturday — almost three years of frustration released as a vicious cycle was snapped.

Leitchville-Gunbower was the scalp, Nondies posting a total of 122 and then bowling their opponent out for only 107 in 43.4 overs.

“It was a little bit emotional; at the same time you feel a little bit ashamed getting emotional after one win,” captain Kyeran Ellery said.

“But I suppose it made sense given where we’ve come from and seeing our kids do what they’ve done.

“And it was the kids who got us to where we were.”

Youth is one of the main reasons why Nondies were in such a rut to begin with.

Ellery explained how his team lost significant experience going back two seasons.

The club couldn’t find like for like replacements, and although it’s exciting to give the kids a go, everyone still wants to win.

And translating development into points takes time.

“Trying to replace that experience was really challenging because of guys retiring, and guys just moving down to the lower grades as they age,” Ellery said.

“That’s been a real challenge because we had a big gap between those 35-year-olds down to those 21, 22, so there’s been significant change in that time.”

And there has been another issue.

“Availability for us has always been a killer, particularly early in the year,” Ellery said.

“Many of our guys work on Saturdays; we're in one of those positions.

“In the last two seasons, the first year I think we rolled about 21 to 23 players through our A Grade side, and last year was similar.

“It’s because of the sheer number of people that have to work, and I think if most clubs found themselves in that situation they’d have similar struggles.”

Ellery admitted availability would still affect the team moving forward.

But when you talk to him, there’s a feeling the past off-season has seen Nondies’ mentality move from rebuild mode to greater competitiveness.

Those who religiously check the PlayHQ scores every week would’ve immediately wondered whether the club suddenly lured some talented imports.

It’s usually what separates the best and worst in local cricket.

Left-arm quick Louis Johnson is a handy addition from Manchester in England — as evidenced by 3-19 figures against Leitchville.

All-rounder Anton Kopec also joined, a Mornington Peninsula native with overseas experience.

Both are in their early 20s, hardly increasing the team’s average age.

But as Ellery put it, they bring a know-how with the level they’ve played at previously.

The captain is in a good position to speak to the importance of what happened last weekend, given his involvement at the club has totalled just over 20 years.

And the seniority he has in such a young group isn’t lost on him.

“I think the average age of the side was about 21 but was bumped up a fair bit by me at 36,” Ellery said.

The other older head in the team is co-captain Sam O’Shea, and Ellery shares an approach to leadership with him that goes beyond the crease.

“I think for us it’s about seeing these kids make the club their own,” he said.

“I remember coming through all those years ago at 14, 15 and seeing what the club was about, looking up to the older ones.

“I just want to try and translate that over to them and instil them with a sense of pride in their club and community.”

Ellery is not only passionate about the emerging talent — he’s excited about the set-up underpinning it.

“Everything’s up for us,” he said.

“Memberships, playing numbers, and sponsorships are as high as they’ve been, and just in general, the number of volunteers and people putting time into the club is as high as it’s been as well.”

The challenge to go from no win in 30 to back-to-back victories is a little complicated for Nondies this weekend.

There resurgent community will be behind them when reigning champion Moama visits — and Ellery thinks “the lid could well and truly be off” if another scalp is claimed.