CONNOR Richardson is reaping the rewards of a decision made more than four years ago.
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The teenage paceman grew up playing juniors with Woolsthorpe but crossed to Woodford in 2010 on the urging of respected mentor John Houston.
Richardson had worked with Houston in the Western Waves representative program. Uniting at the Eels seemed an ideal way to hone his talents.
But just how beneficial the move would be has only emerged this season — spectacularly so.
The 19-year-old has become the main strike bowler in the Eels’ Warrnambool and District Cricket Association division one side.
His 25 wickets have come at an average of 10.96 — the best of any regular in the WDCA. He has gone wicketless just three times in 13 matches.
But rewind almost half a decade and the reason behind crossing to Woodford was to make the most of his potential.
“When I did Western Waves with Hooter (Houston), he was the coach. He rang me up and my dad as well,” Richardson said.
“He mentioned if you want to improve your cricket, the Warrnambool (and) District association is higher class than Grassmere.
“I thought I’d have a crack at that. It’s been good, I’ve really enjoyed myself. It might not have paid off straight away but it has now.”
Richardson could not pinpoint why he was enjoying a breakout campaign.
His division one returns in previous seasons are more modest — 13 in each of the past two summers, 12 in his maiden top-grade campaign.
“In the past few years I’ve had a good start to the year but haven’t really carried through to the end. I’m not really sure why,” he said.
“I started playing footy this year. That might’ve helped with fitness. Maybe just a bit of age, getting a bit stronger, a bit fitter.
“When you’re younger playing division one, you’re always trying pretty hard. After a few years you get used to your spot.”
Greater opportunities have also been invaluable. He has bowled 88.4 overs, on par with teammate Hank Schlaghecke, a Country Week squad member.
“Hank is more of a hit-the-pitch bowler. I’m a bit slower, probably more swing would be my thing,” he said.
Woodford meets East Warrnambool-YCW at Jones Oval in a WDCA Merri conference round 13 match at Jones Oval during the next fortnight.
The Eels enter the clash on top of the conference, with 36 points. Victory would lock away a finals berth. But March is when the real pressure arrives.
They have bowed out in a semi-final the past two seasons — one was a washout — while they lost the 2010-11 grand final to Allansford.
Much has been made about the Eels’ youth during those seasons but Richardson said their flag window was open.
“We’ve always dropped that little bit short and you can probably put it down to a young age,” he said.
“But most of us have been playing together for a few years now. You start to expect us to go further.
“There’s not much more we can learn from each other. We’ve got to go that one step further. The experience is there now.”
In other Merri conference matches, Wesley-CBC takes on an in-form West Warrnambool at Walter Oval. Port Fairy meets Russells Creek at Avery’s Paddock in a showdown crucial to each side’s finals chances.
Allansford welcomes Dennington to Uebergang Oval in a top-of-the-table Hopkins conference clash.
Merrivale hosts Nirranda at Merrivale Recreation Reserve and Brierly-Christ Church plays Nestles at Brierly Recreation Reserve.