ONLY four sides will play in Manning Cricket Association’s first grade competition this year.
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This follows the loss of Great Lakes.
Premiers United, Wingham, Old Bar and Taree West will battle out the competition.
Great Lakes officials have informed the association they don’t believe there are enough players of adequate standard in the club to field a first grade.
Last season Great Lakes failed to win a game and struggled for numbers in many matches.
Manning Cricket president David Burley admits he’s disappointed by the decision. He believes the club has a number of promising younger players who would benefit from involvement in first grade.
Two years ago Great Lakes made the first grade grand final but have lost the majority of players from that side. The club has struggled to maintain a first grade side over the years.
Mr Burley said having four sides in first grade doesn’t automatically mean the semi-finalists are decided before a ball is bowled, robbing the competition of some interest.
“We haven’t made a decision yet but we could play a top three with the minor premier going straight through to the grand final,’’ he said.
United will be the defending premiers. The side was formed just before the start of last season following a merger between Taree Leagues and Cundletown after both sides were battling for numbers.
The side’s captain Ricky Campbell said initially this was only going to be for one season, however, the two clubs have since officially merged.
Mr Burley said team numbers would appear to be static in the minor grades although some clubs have yet to finalise their sides.
“We’ll have eight or nine in third grade and six to eight in second grade,’’ Mr Burley explained.
He said the third grade will again split for the semi-finals with the top four to play for the third grade premiership and the next four involved in fourth grade playoffs.
“That’s the way the clubs wanted it to run,’’ he explained.
The previous summer the competition divided into third and fourth grade after one full round had been completed.
All competitions will start on Saturday October 11.
The first grade will play a full round of one day fixtures before starting two day games. T20 matches will be played immediately and immediately after the break for Christmas/New Year.
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