LJ’s Randy Petes Round 1 Preview vs Western Suburbs + Metro

A disappointing 2018/19 campaign for the Randy Petes is in the rear-view mirror, and we now turn our attention to Round 1 of the 2019/20 season. With some fresh faces across the grades and plenty of overseas experience gained for a plethora of players, it will be an interesting first round against Wests this weekend. Last season we won three out of the five games against this weekend’s opponents, and there is no doubt there will plenty of hungry lads ready to improve on that result.

1st Grade is at Coogee Oval: 

Where else would you rather start a season than the picturesque Coogee Oval? There are plenty of changes in 1s, with Jason Sangha taking the reins as captain this year and a trifecta of new players joining the green and gold. A huge welcome to Ryan Ninan, Ben Abbatangelo and Will Affleck who will no doubt add plenty of experience and will be looking to get their careers at Randwick Petersham off to a flying start. In the 16 clashes between us and Wests over the years, the Randy Petes have emerged victorious in half of them and managed just seven losses. Daya Singh had a strong debut season for the club last year and spent some time overseas during our off-season, so he should be primed for a few poles first-up here.

2nd Grade is at Pratten Park:

It’s a new season and there’s a new skipper for 2s with talented batsman Jack Lyle taking charge for the 2019/20 season. There are two new faces here in Tim Affleck and Irish import Stephen Doheny who will be looking to kickstart life at their new club in style. In the 14 matches between the two sides, the Randy Petes have emerged victorious in seven of them – six of which came in an unbeaten run between 2002 and 2009. Fiery Pom Luke Radford will be ready to rip and tear once again and inflict plenty of punishment on opposition batsmen.

3rd Grade is at Kensington Oval:

Ben Stares will lead the 3s side again this year and will be hoping for a better result this time around after a disappointing 2018/19. Adam Docos makes his triumphant return to the Randy Petes after a stint at the Bears (we won’t hold it against him too much), while Pommy Ryan ‘Giggsy’ Miskella brings his hooping innies to the side. We have a positive record against Wests in this grade, with 8 wins from 14 encounters and have won two of the past three clashes. Jackson Eldridge and Ash Burton are both fresh off a big season in the UK and a strong Oktoberfest campaign, and will be a welcome addition back to Australia on Saturday.

4th Grade is at Blick Oval:

Veteran Tom Holland has been named captain of 4s this year and will add a wealth of talent and experience to the side. Ross Elliot, Lewis Barnes and Bilal Abbasi are the fresh faces here and will all add their own part to the club this season. The Randy Petes have a fantastic record against Wests in this grade, with 10 wins from 14 games – last season we lost the first innings, but were able to win on outright. Kel Mullins is recovering from jetlag after a quick trip to Europe before the season began, and should be able to score plenty of runs at this level.

5th Grade is at Marrickville Oval:

Fabian Heaton was a fantastic leader for 5s last season as they showed plenty of promise throughout the season despite missing the finals, and will captain the side again in 2019/20. Mason McGlone, Haider Ali, Ben Thomas and Mitch Winslade are the fresh faces this weekend and will be out to prove plenty in their Randy Petes debuts. In 15 matches between the two sides, the Randy Petes have won 10 – however, we did come up short last year and will be out to rectify that on Saturday.

Metropolitan Cup Preview by Jeremy Jastrzab:

Pre-season 2019/20 saw unprecedented numbers, making the selections for round 1 some of the tightest that they have been in years. The Metropolitan Cup retains 14 teams, the loss of Balmain South Sydney and Georges River going back to 1 team making way for the maiden appearance of Sutherland in the competition and the return of Hawkesbury after 3 seasons out – we wouldn’t want to miss out on that Bensons Lane road trip! With as many as 10 debutants across the two teams – as well as many chomping at the bit for their chance to play – there will be plenty of new faces to complement the returnees. After several seasons of being spoiled with home comforts in the opening round, Gold hit the round for round 1 – heading up to the Northern Beaches to face off against the always competitive Warringah, who have eschewed the recently reinstated Shires fifth grade in favour of a Metro Cup team, and have made finals in their last two season. The Golden boys will have their work cut out for them to start the season. With Petersham Oval out for the season, Marrickville Oval will get more usage and host part two of a double-header opening weekend, when the Green team host Georges River on Sunday. Randwick Petersham teams won 4 out of the 5 Georges River encounters last season, and with power house bowling line up at their disposal, will be keen to continue this healthy record.