Rochester had eight father-son pairings suit up together in the opening round. Photo: Rochester Cricket Club.
Like father, like son.
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For Rochester, this Goulburn Murray Cricket season has become a true family affair.
And while the lower impact of the gentleman’s game, compared to other sports, is naturally accommodating to the combination of young and old playing together, the club has taken that concept to the extreme this year.
No less than eight father-son pairs took to the field together for Rochester in the opening round across the club’s four senior sides.
Not only that, but three pairs of siblings, three brothers-in-law and an uncle and nephew pairing were also in action across the grades.
In the First XI, captain Dylan Cuttriss has been playing with son Judd since last season when the junior made the step up to the top grade.
“It's really nice to be able to play any form of sport with your kids, not everyone gets that opportunity,” Dylan said.
“I’m lucky that I’m able to do that.
“I’ve got two other kids as well, so hopefully at some stage I’ll get to do the same thing with them.”
Dylan Cuttriss, his son Judd and brother Jesse are all First XI regulars. Photo: Rochester Cricket Club.
The family connection isn’t just a feel-good moment for the club, but has also grown the organisation from within, allowing it to introduce a fourth side for the first time.
“It was pushed by some of our younger kids,” Dylan said.
“They were playing junior cricket, but the limited overs cricket limits you to only facing potentially 12 balls or 20 balls per week.
“They came to us and said, ‘is there a chance that we could potentially play some afternoon cricket?’ which led to conversations with their dads as well who said, ‘well, if they want to play, we’ll play’.
“All of a sudden we had enough to get that Fifth XI side up and running and that’s really positive for our club to be able to have those guys around.”
Morgan Boyack drives aggressively. Photo: Bruce Povey.
The club now has sides in the First, Third, Fourth and Fifth XI competitions.
Growing its junior base is a priority for the club this season, and it has tempered expectations after losing some senior players.
The First XI side declined to 1-2 this week, well-beaten in a rain-affected clash with what looks a threatening Kyabram Fire Brigade squad.
Cale James steams in. Photo: Bruce Povey.
A wet wicket delayed the start, reducing the game to 40 overs, a mark Rochester crawled to nine down and with only 81 runs on the board.
Cale James’ 21 was the best Rochy could muster with the bat.
In response, Fire Brigade surged to the target within 16 overs and without loss, Miller Griffiths and Jayden Rosin getting the job done without assistance.
“We’re not going to look too closely at the wins and losses column throughout the year,” Dylan said.
“To be able to develop these kids and to have people for the kids to learn to play good proper cricket alongside, that’ll go a long way to their development and future proofing our club to have these kids come through in the next few years, up into our senior ranks, and take over the club from us.”
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