Souths skipper confident for longer format
SOUTHS captain Andrew Watson says he's confident the team is building towards a better second half of the TCI A-grade season.
The Magpies finally broke their duck on Saturday, recording their first win against Wests in round one of the open competition.
Souths bowled Wests out for 78 before clubbing a quickfire 5-81 in reply to take first innings points.
It was a morale boosting victory after going through the one-day season winless and Watson said he always expected the team to perform better in the longer format.
"It feels good to have a win, that's for sure," he said.
"It's what we expected, to perform better than in the one-day comp.
"The first few one-day games, we probably fell 30 or 40 runs short of what we needed.
"We just took out of it that we're building into the two-day stuff. Two-day is where it's at."
After a slow start to the summer, things are starting to come together for Souths with a handful of players just hitting their best form.
John Cleary spearheaded the victory over Wests with 52 while the return of Bryce Priebe strengthens Souths' top order alongside promising youngster Jack Carty.
"The two of them will be very handy at the top of the order," Watson said.
"Jack's only failure has been when the opposition gets to him early. Once he looks settled, no one is going to get him out.
"And John Cleary is seeing the ball well and getting runs every week."
Watson said Souths still have a few more players to welcome back before they really hit their straps.
"If I can get everyone fit and on the paddock - that's the challenge," he said.
