THREE weeks into the summer and the Tallangatta powerhouse was winless.
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It had been beaten by North Albury, lost in the final overs to New City and was thrashed in the opening round by wooden spoon favourites Wodonga Raiders.
Fast forward to the Christmas break and the Bushies are fifth, on a five-game winning streak.
Importantly, ladder leaders Wodonga sits in the middle of the run — a nine run nailbiter in a one-dayer.
Post Christmas Tallangatta will welcome back star all-rounder, rep player and part of the provincial team of the last decade Steve Wood
But captain Mat Armstrong said they were just looking forward, steeling themselves for a New Year’s re-match with the Bulldogs in a two-day clash.
“Having everyone available has been a big help in recent weeks,” he said.
“The first three games we lost were against teams that we are more than capable of beating.
“We were a little unlucky in the game against New City — it was a match that could easily have gone either way but in the other two we were just underdone.”
Armstrong said the emergence of English import Josh Bousfield and the return of previous visitor James Weighell had boosted their stocks.
“Bousfield was the standout in the win against St Pats at the weekend,” he said.
“He took a few wickets the week before and knocked up a half century as we chased quick runs on Saturday.
“But we have had a host of contributors — Nathan Thompson has been solid with the bat all year and now there is a group of 12 or 13 pushing for selection each week.
“After Christmas we’ll get Steve Wood back and you need that sort of experience if you are going to take part in finals cricket.”
Armstrong laughs off the suggestion that the sleeping giants were awaking from their slumber.
“There is no doubt that we are still the underdogs when you look at the likes of Wodonga who have won eight of their nine games,” he said.
“East Albury are also going along nicely. They have some talent at their disposal and are hard to beat at home.