Epping is proving one of the surprise packets of the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Barclay Shield early in the season.
The Pingers have undergone a bit of a change the past couple of years, but the depth within the club is shining through.
The Pingers sit third on the ladder with a 3-1 and have shown a real resolve.
Pingers president Daniel Bramich said it could be seen as a bit of a shock with their start, but they felt they had a good group.
“Speaking with captain Tom [Emmins] we felt we had a really talented group, some just haven’t had a chance at the higher level,” he said.
“They’re proven names in B-grade. We’re getting wins where we need to, especially this year with the relegation of three sides.
“Besides the Rosanna game we have put ourselves in winning positions.
“We have to put ourselves in a winning position week in, week out and we’ll win more than we lose.”
Bramich said with their second side winning four premierships in six seasons, there were players who were just waiting to get their opportunities.
He said they were thriving with the opportunity but knows there’s still improvement to come.
“They’ve now had to step up,” he said. “We’re relying on a few players but we need everyone each week to play their role.
“We know that Tom is the big wicket but we need 10 players to chip in here we can.
“We have to find ways without him.”
Bramich said from a bowling perspective they felt like they still had a really good attack.
Rob Tinsley and Bramich have been around for a while, while Ethan Kunelius has come into his own after coming through the second XI.
Akash Cheema is the other key, having won the club’s champion player last season, while Jaedyn Kearney and Todd Hughes are other options.
On Saturday, the Pingers bowling group got the job done against Heidelberg.bowling it out for 143.
Kunelius, Bramich and Cheema took three wickets each.
Bramich said they were happy to restrict them to that total as they put themselves in a winning position again.
It wasn’t an ideal start with the bat for the Pingers.
They will resume on day two at 3-38.
Importantly for the Pingers, Emmins is unbeaten on 26.
“It was disappointing to lose three wickets,” Bramich said. “Everyone knows that Tom is the big wicket in our group.
“We do rely on him to make a winning score. Myself, David [Graham] and Jaedyn have to work to make sure we chip away at the score.”
The Pingers will be back in action on Tuesday night as the summer smash kicks off.
Bramich said they would use the shorter format to try and get some guys into form.
In other matches on Saturday, Bundoora United is chasing Diamond Creek’s 9-278, while Bundoora is chasing Rosanna’s 9-246.
