Tara Murray
An even performance across the board has Laurimar primed for a premiership tilt in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Mash Shield.
After going close the last three seasons to earning promotion, the Power are again on the right track to win that elusive outright premiership and earn promotion.
Entering the final round, the Power are on top of the ladder with the top four spot cemented.
Power coach Adam Drinkwell said they had played some pretty good cricket this season.
“We went on an eight game winning streak, before losing a close one to Hurstbridge. It was good to get back on the winners list against Thomastown.
“We’re going well in the first XI and we’ll have five of our six sides playing finals.”
Drinkwell said the key to the success this season had been their depth and even contribution.
He said like most teams they’ve had issues with availability due to COVID and the work, but others had stepped up.
“We have not relied on one single player,” he said. “We’ve had an even contribution across the board.
“Our top four or five with the bat have had good years, while Josh Deans-Draper and Leigh Donaldson have stepped up with the ball after Christmas.
“We’ve been bowling sides out for under 100. It’s been a good contribution.”
Drinkwell, who is in his first season at the club, said the club’s ambition was still the same from before he got there.
He said the club is keen to move up the grades.
“We were pretty close the last couple of years in the Mash Shield,” he said. “We want that elusive XI premiership.
“Looking to win the Mash Shield is a long goal for us. In 2019-20 we were joint premiers due to COVID and the game getting called off on the second weekend.
“As the lower ranked team will stay in the Mash Shield. Last season we were knocked out in the semi.”
Drinkwell said having a top two sport and home semi final would help in that aim.
The Power are set to play Lower Plenty in the final round of the season on Saturday.
In good signs for the club, their second XI has consolidated their spot after being promoted for this season while the third and fourth XI look set to play finals.
Drinkwell said it was now about getting everything right at the right time of the season.
“We’re looking to get the best team available,” he said.
“We’re almost there. We have 14, 15 or 16 players to choose from, we have some good depth.
“Hopefully we can continue on the winning form.”
