Wodonga’s young group will have the ideal opportunity to bounce back against ladder leader Kiewa on Saturday.
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The pair played in the season-opener with Kiewa winning a thriller by 13 runs.
The visitors posted 153, and Wodonga appeared to be cruising at 3-106.
But the team collapsed, losing 7-34.
“We have a lot of young boys and they were in a good position to win, so they’ll learn from that,” club coach Daniel Dixon said.
District’s leading paceman Ryan de Vries took two late wickets, part of his 17-scalp haul after only four games.
We have a lot of young boys in the team and they were in a good position to win that game, so they’ll learn from that
- Daniel Dixon
“He’s fairly slippery and pretty smart about the way he bowls,” Dixon said.
“But our boys are facing quality bowlers in the nets every session.”
Leigh Collins is one of those speedsters, and he’s hoping to celebrate his 33rd birthday on Sunday with a haul.
“I tore the meniscus (in my knee) and I’m working my way back from that,” he said.
“I’m feeling pretty good and looking to play provincial.”
The club mentor says Collins will play a crucial role in developing the group.
“He thrives on a heavy workload, and the more he bowls, the better he is, and the kids will learn a lot off him,” Dixon said.
And Collins says it’s exciting to watch the development.
“We’ve got some very young and very talented kids here like Charlie Jackson and Jarrod Lewin, and I’m happy to help them as much as I can,” he said.
Caleb Matchan and Harry Kitching are some of the other rising youngsters who will look to end Kiewa’s unbeaten run, while Connor Wiffen is coming off 7-13 at under 16 level.
“He’s been bowling well and taking wickets, while Charlie Jackson bowls off-spin as well.
“They’re thriving on the exposure at this level.”
Wodonga has split its first month, and gave an indication it’s already learnt from its first round collapse by holding off Baranduda last week.
Chasing 147, the youthful line-up passed the target with three wickets left.
Wodonga holds down fourth spot, and its clash is one of three matches featuring the top six sides.
Sixth-placed Baranduda will look to bounce back against Yackandandah.
The Kangaroos were superb in toppling Eskdale.
Mick Walker hit 23 runs off the final over, including three 6s, to push the score to 166, with Eskdale falling 22 runs short.
And Dederang hosts Eskdale.
Elsewhere, the bottom four teams meet.
Mount Beauty is home to Barnawartha-Chiltern, with Jake Styles coming off a terrific 5-23 in the win over Howlong.
And Howlong is out to break its winless run when it travels to Bethanga.
Howlong was skittled for 71 last week.
