Despite last week’s loss to Leagues Club, Coro captain Haydn Pascoe believes his bowlers are starting to run into form at the right time of the year.
Shane Hutchinson is the latest Cougar to fire as the stalwart took season-best figures of 5/29 last week.
The haul took Hutchinson to fourth on the wicket-takers list for the season with a total of 28 wickets.
He’s nestled in between teammates Alex Flood (29) and Tim Rand (28) who are all chasing Leagues’ Harry Singh (36) and Exies’ Marc Tucker (32).
Pascoe applauded recent efforts from his bowlers and said it would put the side in a good position entering the pointy end of the season.
“He’s always been a genuine wicket-taker,” Pascoe said of Hutchinson.
“I don’t know what he does or how he does it [take wickets] – all I know is he bowled really well last week.
“Alex Flood bowled really well, too, he didn’t take a wicket but was another pick of the bowlers.
“Alex has been improving week in, week out and it’s a good time to get those unlucky weeks out of the way and focus on a bit of form.”
Two Coro players will get their first crack in the Griffith District Cricket Association first grade competition this year in the Cougars match against Yenda at Wade Park on Saturday.
Will Dalton – who has played first grade in previous years – will move up from second grade while third grader Blake Argus has been named to make his first grade debut.
“Will’s been been playing second grade for us and he can bat and bowl a bit off spin as well,” Pascoe said.
“Blake is only about 15 and he’s a young, quick bowler.”
Both players have produced solidly this year in their respective grades with Argus averaging 29.3 with the bat and 9.4 with the ball while Dalton averages 18 with the bat and 5.4 with the ball.
Dean Bennett will also return to the side while Jono Morris, Mitch Williams-Hedges and Will Kennedy are all unavailable.
GDCA umpires
First grade
Saturday, 1pm start
Exies v Hanwood at Hanwood. Umpire: Joe Catanzariti. Yenda v Coro at Yenda. Umpire: Gordon Browne. Leagues v Diggers at Westend. Umpire: Peter Davis
Second grade
Saturday, 1pm start
Hanwood v Yenda at Collina. Umpire: Brent Harrison. Diggers v Leagues at Showground 1. Umpire: Don Coleman. Coro v Exies at Showground 2. Umpire: Garry Tucker
Third grade
Semi-finals
Friday, 5.45pm start
Coro v Coleambally at Exies No. 1. Umpire: Richie Alvaro and Joe Catanzariti
Saturday, 1pm start
Hanwood v Leagues at Exies No. 1. Umpire: Richie Alvaro
