Wesley-CBC quartet ready for gruelling semi final

LOYALTY to the Beavers’ cause is reigning supreme as four of Wesley-CBC’s most faithful sons vie to step on to the biggest stage in Warrnambool cricket.

Matt McMillan, Ben Evans, Jeremy Gillies and Ryan McArdle began their careers with the club’s under 13 side almost 15 years ago.

The four are preparing to fly the flag in the club’s first final in a decade on Saturday and are part of a team gifting the long-suffering Beavers’ faithful reason to dream of a potential grand final berth.

Standing in its way, however, is a Russells Creek juggernaut determined to steamroll its way to its own drought-breaking grand final place.

For Gillies, the on-field success of the club has been felt right through the ranks.

“It’s been nice to have a bit of success and you feel it off field,” he told The Standard.

“You’re not dwelling on the negatives (like you can do) when you’re losing all the time.

“We’ve had a really positive mindset which has been great to have around the place.”

As another of Wesley-CBC’s long-time servants, Ben Evans is another player who is well aware of the task ahead.

“It’s all just jelled for us this year,” Evans said.

“We’ve just never thought we were out of a game. In previous seasons we might have seen the writing on the wall and dropped our bundle a little bit, but this year we haven’t looked down at all.

“But this weekend is just a stepping stone. We still have to do a job.”

The off-spinner, who has claimed 37 wickets to date this season, said training had been well-structured under the guidance of coach Sam McCosh.

He hailed the club’s culture and said it had a significant role in his decision to remain at the club through tough periods.

“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been playing with a group in that finals will always be a rewarding experience,” Evans said.

“But it’s really good to get some reward for the work our whole group has put in.

“Even if we don’t get the job done this weekend, it’s something to build on for the next few years.

“It is Creek’s game to lose. Nobody will be expecting us to win but we go in and give it our best crack.”

Wesley-CBC will battle Russells Creek at Jones Oval on Saturday and Sunday at 1pm.

We’ve had a really positive mindset which has been great to have around the place.- Jeremy Gillies