Former Dedication player Chris Hope has been announced as the final member of the Hutt River Dedication squad for 2010. Hope played for Dedication for two years, before abandoning the club to start his own rival outfit, the Halls Enforcers. Despite besting Dedication in their only encounter, the Enforcers proved to be lacking in longevity, folding after only one year. Hope is understood to have begged Dedication officials for a second chance, and will need to perform in order to justify the selectors' gamble on such a controversial player.
Loyal Hutt River Dedication fan Warren Sparkes was today announced in the squad for the 2010 Willowfest tournament. Sparkes has been trying to push his way into the team for many years, and was understood to have campaigned hard for his inclusion this year. He will bring some much needed arrogance to the Dedication line up, and is expected to open the batting.
All but one of the twelve spots on the Dedication squad have now been announced. Fans are unsure who the final spot will go to, with several candidates in contention. Rumours are circulating that the final selection will come as a shock to many of the Dedication faithful, but selectors have indicated they are not afraid of making tough decisions for the good of the team. Hutt River Dedication officials today announced the return of former player Kyle Moore to the squad for Willowfest 2010. Moore left the team under controversial circumstances in 2007 to join Chris Hope's Halls Enforcers. With that team folding after just one year, however, Moore is understood to have regretted the decision ever since, and came back begging for a game at Dedication.
Moore's appoint was contentious, given his unstable temperament. Just two days ago, Moore was given a tech foul at a crucial stage in a basketball grand final, a foul which many fans believe cost his team the game. Dedication fans will be hoping that Moore can keep that temper under control whilst playing for Hutt River. Selectors appear to be showing no mercy towards poor performing players in their bid to put together the strongest team Dedication has seen. Following news of the axing of Bill Barber earlier in the week, today two further players from the 2009 squad were dropped for this year's tournament. Troy Nicholson and Ashley Spencer, both 20-game players for Dedication, will not be returning in 2010. Spencer's continual refusal to attend presentations and accept the Horse's Arse Award is understood to have been a factor in the selectors' decision.
Replacements are yet to be announced for the three players dropped so far, but speculation is rife amongst Dedication fans as to who will be brought in. Rumours about the possible signing of long time fan Warren Sparkes continue to circulate, along with growing rumours that a past player may be returning. Captain Geoff Pascoe refused to comment on this speculation, saying only that "Further announcements will be made in the coming days." Vice Captain Tyler Hankinson added that "there will be some surprises in the final squad announcement." Hutt River Dedication today announced the axing of long time player Bill Barber from the Dedication squad. Selectors were unimpressed with Barber's Dedication, and felt that his performances simply weren't enough to justify selection. Barber has always struggled when playing for Dedication, but his 2009 return of just seven runs was a new low. Even Chris Hope managed to accumulate 21 runs in 2006.
Barber appeared to be greatly disappointed in the decision, saying "I just wish they had given me one more chance to dance with the big boys, you know what I mean? I mean, just one more. It's just a thought. You know what I mean?" Whilst no further selection decisions have been announced, it is rumoured that Barber won't be the only one missing out on a spot, as selectors endeavour to build a championship winning team. Also rumoured is the possible inclusion of long time fan Warren Sparkes in the team for the first time. |
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