Guyra’s start to their first season back in the top grade couldn’t have begun any tougher as the side slumped to seven straight losses before the new year.
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While the results on the scoreboard weren’t going their way, the Guyra team were building and it began to show as week by week their runs increased.
In round 12 Guyra stuck it to premiers Hillgrove in the second of their two-day clashes before, in round 13, they managed their first win, an outright against City.
“I think anyone that follows Armidale Cricket knows that Guyra was definitely the speed bump at the beginning of the year. We were half-assed in a lot of stuff,” captain Charlie Keen said.
“We were a new team and we expected that we would go alright but the first few games we were just getting smashed.
“We just kept working hard on a Tuesday and Thursday at training and we just started bonding a bit and coming together.”
Off the field, have improved the camaraderie and culture among the players which has resulted in their developing success.
“Everyone became very good mates, I suppose, and that was the aim at the beginning of the year,” Keen said.
“Most games at home we always go into the pub and thirds, seconds, firsts, we all get along.
“I don't think there is any sort of arrogance between firsts to thirds, we don't think we are any better we always just get along with everyone and that is a hugely important thing for a club because that is a positive sign for players that want to come to a club and play some fun cricket and enjoy themselves.”
The confidence they gained from beating City ensured Guyra would head into the final round against Servies with a spring in their step.
Keen hopes they can keep the side together heading into the 2018-19 season and build on how they finished this year.
“It has been a lovely two games and a good effort all-round,” he said.
“It is good leading into next year, hopefully we get a similar team, some familiar faces that used to play for Guyra might come back and start the season off the way we finished this year.”