St Patricks return to Xavier High School after weeks of training at other clubs

COVID restrictions had kept the Patties locked out for weeks, forcing them to find alternative training facilities at Albury and Lavington.

But the club was back at Xavier for the first time on Tuesday and coach Liam Scammell has already seen a difference.

"It's really significant," he said.

"There's an enormous sense of relief.

"When we announced it at training, there was an enormous cheer from the boys and it's a massive weight off our shoulders to be able to get back there.

"Guys can hit extra balls when they want to and if they want to have a hit on another night, they can.

"We're not living out of a trailer and dragging gear all around the place so it'll certainly help to settle us down.

"It's great to be home."

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After a win and two defeats in their opening three games, St Patricks were chasing 137 to beat Wodonga last weekend before the rain forced a draw.

"Our bowling group's been really good and we've got a pretty consistent effort across the four games," Scammell said.

"Our batting performance has been reflective of the team being a bit unsettled but we've found our feet now and I think we're going to play our best cricket towards the back end of the season."

Kori Stevenson's all-round contribution (58 runs and seven wickets) has impressed Scammell, while Neil Smith and Luke Evans are both starting to hit their straps.

St Patricks face two away games tomorrow as part of the provincial competition's first 'Super Saturday' double-header, facing unbeaten Albury at 11am before taking on New City from 3:15pm.

"I like it," Scammell said. "It's great to get some more cricket in.

"Playing back-to-back, you can get a run on and start to progress up the ladder."

Among the other morning starts, Tallangatta hosts Wodonga while East Albury and Lavington clash at Alexandra Park.

In a rematch of last season's preliminary final, Albury and North Albury go head-to-head at Billson Park from 3:15pm.

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