INJURY, misfortune an ultimately missing the finals - last summer was was a disappointment for Bathurst City Redbacks captain Joey Coughlan, but that has only fuelled his desire to succeed in the 2020-21 Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket season.
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On a personal level Coughlan had reason to be satisfied with his return to the BOIDC given he finished as Redbacks' leading batsman and the third best in the competition with 446 runs at an average of 49.56.
But he knows it could have been better had an injured thumb not sidelined him before Christmas.
Likewise Redbacks, who finished the season in seventh, had more of their results impacted by bad weather than any other side and were unlucky not to finish higher.
If we didn't want to win it we wouldn't be playing first grade.
- Joey Coughlan
This season Coughlan, who freely admits "I always play to win" is looking for more of his squad to contribute on a regular basis.
He's also crossing his fingers for better weather, but wants his side to start strong so that they can be in a position to challenge for a semi-final spot heading into the latter half of the season.
THE 2020-21 SQUAD
REDBACKS have retained the bulk of last season's squad, but there have been some changes.
Cambridgeshire native Harrison Craig has been prevented from returning due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be missed given his 222 runs at an average of 37 and 22 wickets at 17.9 last season.
Rory Daburger, who made 113 runs at 22.6 last season, has made the switch to Orange CYMS.
"We've lost our import obviously, he's from England so we couldn't have him come back. He was keen to come back and we wanted him, but with the restrictions with COVID we couldn't have him back," Coughlan said.
"Rory Daburger, he's a big loss. He's been in the club for 10 or 12 years, but he's going to uni in February and was going to miss half the season.
"He's got some family that plays for Orange CYMS and his best mate is from Orange, so he's going to have a year with him."
While losing that pair is a blow, Redbacks have picked up bowler Chris Wiles. He played six games for Mona Vale Cricket Club in the second grade Manly Warringah Cricket Association last year, taking seven wickets at 13.6.
SEASON GOAL
BATHURST City is a team that likes to win and is used to success, so it hurt them to finish their return BOIDC season in seventh.
While that finish was a little deceptive given Redbacks had four matches abandoned due to the weather, Coughlan knows his men need to start better to push for finals.
Unlike last season when the season consisted entirely of two-day fixtures, the 2020-21 draw sees teams competing in 40-overs-aside one-dayers over the first three rounds.
It is a format Redbacks are happy to see.
"You've just got to put yourself in the best possible position early in the season, that's by being prepared and winning those early game," Coughlan said.
"That's always the goal for us, if we didn't want to win it we wouldn't be playing first grade. Like the competitive edge is still there for our team and we are gunning for a semi-final spot at least this year.
"These young fellas we've got, they're keen to step up this year. Everyone sort of had a pretty quiet season last year except for a couple of senior boys, so we'll call on those younger blokes a bit more."
THE FAVOURITES AND THE DARK HORSE
WHILE Coughlan is a little uncertain about the talent each of his rivals will have this season, he again expects defending premiers Orange City and last summer's minor premiers Cavaliers to be strong.
As for a dark horse the Redbacks skipper asked: "Well can you say yourself?"
"I'd say we'd be the dark horse, I don't think we're in the top three yet, but I'd give us a crack to push for semis this year when probably a lot of people wouldn't give us a shout without our import or Rory.
"I know the Orange teams will be strong again like your Cavs and Orange City, but I'm not sure about the Bathurst teams. I had City Colts going a lot better last year than they did and I think they've lost a couple of players."
Redbacks will open their season on Saturday, October 10, against City Colts at Loco Oval.
