The star of last weekend’s opening one-day round says he’s sick of shifting clubs and is looking to finish at North Albury.
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All-rounder Haydyn Roberts made a blinding debut in the longer version of the game, snaring 6-49 against New City.
No other player took more than four wickets in their allotted 10 overs.
“I don’t want to move any more,” he said.
“I was getting paid at other clubs, it gives too much pressure I reckon getting paid because you have to perform all the time,” he said.
The 27-year-old stressed he’s not getting paid at North, which is now his sixth club.
Ironically, Roberts was involved in a clearance dispute with New City last year, instead playing at the next level down in district.
His haul against his former team-mates isn’t his best provincial grade figures after snaring 6-13.
The paceman started his junior career at Wodonga after arriving in the region as a teenager.
But he was never able to crack a first grade game at the long-time powerhouse.
“They wouldn’t pick me,” he said.
“I was too little, I don’t think they knew how old I was.
“They thought I was a little kid, I was tiny.”
Roberts then had stints at Baranduda, Belvoir, Bethanga, New City and now North.
He’s a talented quick, taking 247 wickets in 137 games across all grades.
A back issue looked certain to sideline him this year, but he’s been able to overcome the issue.
“Ash Borella contacted me on Facebook and asked if I wanted to come down and have a train,” he said of the decision.
“I went down and got itchy feet and wanted to play again.”
A fit Roberts adds firepower to last season’s grand finalists.
“The new ball certainly helps a lot, going back to the Kookaburra ball, helps a bit with the swing, the movement in and out,” he said.
North passed New City’s total only two wickets down, but Saturday’s home game in the grand final re-match against Lavington is as tough a test as any team has faced in years, given the premiers’ extraordinary five-pronged representative pace attack, including ex-New Zealand Test bowler Daryl Tuffey.
“I don’t really sit down and say who their bowlers are,” Roberts said.
“I’ll play my shots no matter who the bowlers are.
“I’ll back myself to hit through the line, play in the V (the arc between mid-off and mid-on).”
Elsewhere, Belvoir is home to near neighbours Wodonga Raiders, Tallangatta hosts Albury, East Albury travels to Wodonga and St Patrick’s host New City.
The 50-over games will then have a break with T20’s on October 27.
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