By Marc McGowan
AFTER such an optimistic pre-season, Casey-South Melbourne was given a sharp reminder of its status in Victorian Premier Cricket circles on Saturday.
The Swans faced Ringwood in a one-dayer to begin their season and were outclassed by nine wickets at Casey Fields.
Granted, rain had reduced the match to a 25-over-a-side tussle, but there were worrying signs after Casey-South Melbourne’s batsmen left the bowlers with far too much to do.
It was a trend that haunted the Swans throughout the 2006-07 season.
There were some positives to arise from the encounter, with Rueben Wakefield, despite scoring just 15 runs, displaying his talent in a team in desperate need of it.
Right-arm quick Lukas Hoogenboom, who has been heavily spruiked by Casey-South Melbourne coach John Hayes in the pre-season, also appeared to have added a yard of pace to his impressive artillery.
The weather looked set to ruin the opening weekend, but play began just after 2pm.
Swans captain Michael Hansen punted on the rain continuing to be a factor throughout the day and thought batting first was the best option.
Hansen appeared to be on the money when he quickly cruised to 14 alongside Wakefield, but when Drew McKay removed him the wheels came off.
Jye Sampson and Craig Entwistle quickly departed as the part of a slump of 3/1.
Fringe all-rounder Tim Dale (26 from 42 balls) strode to the wicket and helped settle Casey-South Melbourne down.
Despite the runs only coming at a trickle, he and Wakefield gave Casey-South Melbourne a chance to make a late-innings flurry.
But Wakefield was run out chasing an extra run, and it might as well have been the end of the Swans’ chances.
Lanky fast bowler Matthew Hawking was sent in to hit some boundaries, but was almost immediately back in the pavilion, and Dale joined him soon after.
The determined Marc Ferne again showed he deserved an opportunity higher up the order by moving safely to double figures, but there was not much else from his team-mates.
Casey-South Melbourne made just 7/79 from its 25 overs, with Steven Gilmour (2/10) and Drew McKay (2/16) leading the Ringwood attack.
In response, Swans all-rounder Brett Watkins induced an edge from David King that was eagerly accepted by wicketkeeper Robbie Elston in the sixth over, but that was the end of the joy.
Rams captain Sean Flynn (33 from 57) was always in control and Tom Stray (27 from 50) was equally as assured as they guided their side to an easy victory with 35 balls to spare.
Hansen believes the result of the shortened fixture should be dismissed.
“It was disappointing not to have a win, but it is hard to read too much into it because it’s only a 25-over match,” he said.
“We have to make a few more runs. 120 was our target and that would have put us in a better position to put pressure on them.
“But they bowled really well – they gave us no width at all.”
The Swans will have to regroup quickly because they have back-to-back games this weekend.
They face Melbourne at Albert Cricket Ground from 11am on Saturday and then return to Casey Fields to battle Prahran at the same time the following day.
“Everyone is upbeat and we know we can do better,” Hansen said.
“There is nothing too much to take away from this first game and nothing to get too worried about.”
Marquee English batsman Chris Benham should arrive in Australia in time to play both matches, but left-arm orthodox spinner Clive Rose will miss again through national underage duties.
