The verbal taunts began a week ago as a revitalised Eastern Suburbs looks to claim reigning premiers City United's scalp scalp in round three of Maitland first grade cricket.
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After their game against Wests was washed out last week, Griffins players watched City beat last year’s grand finalists Norths at Lorn Park.
Easts skipper Andrew Vickery was impressed by what they saw and said they got some early sledging in from the boundary to see if they could gain some advantage for this week’s encounter at Robins Oval.
“They looked very good, they had plenty of bowling options and when Norths started to get back into the game Michael Heinrich and Nick Bower really put the clamps on and the wickets started to fall,” he said.
“I was really impressed by Ben Davies and Tim Baker as an opening bowling combination as well. “Ben is a very good cricketer and seems to be continuing to improve.
“We were really interested to see how Tim would go. “He was quick and he seems to come on to you before you know it. He has a really fast action at the crease and bowls off the wrong foot which can really throw you.
“Ricky Dent looked in real good nick with the bat and he and Heiney opening will be a strong combination.
“I think anyone who knows Brad Bidner’s game is expecting big things from him this year back in first grade.
“They lost a few players from the premiership team but they’ve brought in four really good experienced cricketers to replace them.
“There’s always a fair bit of chat between us and City. Matty Trappel’s a great mate but we are fierce rivals on the field.
“We thought we’d lay the ground work last Saturday and hopefully work on exposing some little weaknesses. It’s all good fun, but both sides will look for any advantage they can find.”
Despite City’s obvious strengths, Vickery believes the Griffins have a team to beat them and to make the finals this year.
They have recruited well with Jack Bennett coming to the club from Kurri Weston and Nick Rinkin joining from Norths. But the biggest signings were the return of Easts juniors Jayden Park from Mosman in Sydney grade cricket and Lucas Sargent from the Newcastle comp.
“I’ve just been so impressed by Jayden and Lucas. The knowledge of the game they picked up from Sydney and Newcastle is great and the guys are just soaking it up.
“Jayden in particular is just so enthusiastic, he is constantly encouraging the younger blokes and what the two of them have brought to the club as far as club culture is brilliant.
“We’ve got some really good young players coming through and to have players of that quality and experience willing and eager to share their experience, give tips and just encourage them has been brilliant.
“Having the two Parks boys in the one team is pretty handy. We’ve probably called on young Trent to take on too much bowling in the past, we now have the numbers to allow him to concentrate more on his batting.
“The future is looking pretty bright as far as batting with Trent and young Matt Lynch coming through.
“Matt scored a big hundred in under-16s batting with Lachlan Ballard who also got a ton.”
Vickery said after a couple of years in the doldrums, spirits were high at Easts and they had some of the best young players in the competition coming through to put pressure for grade spots.
“It’s been a real strength of Norths in the past and still is. They have been such a well-run club with great junior development structures and it’s something we have been keen to develop,” he said
“Actually the young talent across the clubs is excellent at the moment. City have some really good players coming through as well and Raymond Terrace and Thornton have young teams.
“Most of our team is now under 22, there’s only a couple of old blokes myself at 29 left.”
Vickery said City would test his team’s improvement and resolve to stay in matches for the full game.
“We need to survive their opening bowling combination with as many wickets in hand as possible and take the game to their spinners with plenty of quick singles and punishing any bad balls.
“Getting through the spinners without losing too many wickets will be the key. We have the batting to finish off strong. I think we will need a total of at least 220 to be competitive.”
In other games on Saturday, Western Suburbs host Raymond Terrace in another meeting of unbeaten teams.
Wests skipper Tom Irwin said he expected a real fight at Coronation Oval.
“I think any team that can call on Nick Savage is going to be hard to beat. I really rate him as a cricketer and a leader on the field,” he said.
Irwin will be looking to make some runs after his co-captain Mitch Fisher got in the wickets in their opening round win against Thornton. Aaron Mahony gave notice he is in for a big year making 134 in the game.
Norths face Thornton at Lorn Park after the game was moved from Thornton No.1
