ADCA 2023-24: Two key additions set to boost young Railways outfit in their bid to rise up the ladder

Railways are confident further development from their younger players can help push them up the ladder in the 2023-24 Albany and Districts Cricket Association A-grade competition. The Tigers finished on the bottom of the ladder last season with two wins and have not played finals since 2019-20. The signing of English all-rounder Joe Stanley along with the recruitment of seamer Caleb Haua from Royals are key additions for the Tigers who will be hoping their youngsters continue to develop. Star all-rounder Coen Marwick, who will again captain the side, said the focus was firmly on their young squad to enjoy their cricket and aim to improve each week. “We have sort of set the moto for the year on progression not perfection,” he said. “We have a really young group again and just want to keep building on what we were doing last season. “We won a couple in the last five games we played so we want to build on that, and hopefully the young guys keep getting better with age and experience. “We also want them to enjoy their cricket which has been hard over the last few years so we won’t be putting a lot of pressure on them. Marwick was the clear standout for the club last season, scoring 597 runs and taking 18 wickets across both one-day and Twenty20 formats. The arrival of 18-year-old Stanley, captain of the Worcestershire academy, will be crucial in the Tigers top order. “He’s got a lot of potential and looks really solid,” Marwick said. “Joe can bat all day and there is 10 overs we can reply on most weeks. “I like what he brings to us…he will be a handy player to have.” The Tigers have will be without experienced batsman Alan Pietersen but Marwick is not ruling out challenging for a top three spot and a finals berth. “Ideally we’d love to be vying for that third spot come finals,” he said. “We are very realistic Mt Barker and Royals are definitely the top two so third is probably the one up for grabs. “Manypeaks and Collingwood Park I’d love to think we can compete with them all year and if you win more than half of those we could be a chance at playing finals. “The main aim is to keep developing and have the young guys grow and if we make finals that’s a real bonus.” The Tigers start their new campaign against reigning premiers Mt Barker at Turf South on Saturday. RAILWAYS Captain: Coen Marwick Last season: Last Most runs: Coen Marwick (597) Most wickets: Coen Marwick (18) Inclusions: Caleb Haua (Royals), Joe Stanley (Worcestershire) Omissions: Alan Pietersen (retired)