By Marcus Uhe
The challenge has been thrown to Springvale South to repeat last summer’s Dandenong District Cricket Association T20 competition heroics after drawing a pair of fellow Turf 1 sides in its three-team group round to open the tournament.
The Bloods will need to get through bitter rival Buckley Ridges and 2022/23 champions Berwick in order to advance and keep its chance of defending the title alive.
Last season they bested Buckley Ridges by seven wickets in the group stage after an excellent bowling performance restricted the Bucks to just 115 in the first innings.
Theirs is the marquee trio of the groupings and the only with three teams from the same division.
Runner up HSD, by contrast, has a far-more favourable draw, with a pair of Turf 3 sides in Lynbrook and Keysborough to open proceedings.
Third-placed North Dandenong, meanwhile, should also like its chances, assigned to face Berwick Springs and Silverton in the group stages.
The competition begins on Sunday 2 December and culminates at Shepley Oval on Sunday 2 February.
GROUPS – venue
Hampton Park, Parkmore, Lyndale – Frederick Wachter Reserve
Cranbourne, Fountain Gate, Beaconsfield – Casey Fields 2
Narre North, Narre Warren, Coomoora – Narre Warren North Reserve
Springvale South, Berwick, Buckley Ridges – Alex Nelson Reserve
St Mary’s, Doveton, Hallam Kalora Park – Carroll Reserve
North Dandenong, Berwick Springs, Silverton – Lois Twohig Reserve
Narre South, Parkfield, Dandenong West – Strathaird Reserve
Lynbrook, Keysborough, HSD – Marriott Watters Reserve
