MANNING Cricket Association's new season will start on Saturday, December 4.
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Five teams - Great Lakes, Taree United, Gloucester, Taree West and Wingham - will contest tier one following the withdrawal of Old Bar.
At this stage nine sides will be in tier two, although association president, Michael Steinmetz is confident this will rise to 11 by December 4.
Mr Steinmetz said the start was delayed to December 4 to allow players who weren't fully vaccinated the opportunity to take part.
He explained that some teams would have struggled to field enough players if the association opted for a date immediately after October 25.
The State hit the 80 per cent fully-vaccinated mark earlier this month meaning community sport was allowed to start..
"Two tier two more teams should have enough players after December 1, so that'll bring the number to 11,'' he said.
He admitted he was disappointed that Old Bar would not field a team in tier one.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to get sides back once they drop out (of the competition).
- Manning Cricket Association president, Michael Steinmetz
Old Bar has been one of the leading teams in the second grade competition in recent seasons, but reportedly lost a number of players in the off-season.
"Unfortunately, it can be hard to get sides back once they drop out (of the competition),'' Mr Steinmetz said.
However, he added that five sides would ensure the season is competitive.
Great Lakes won the second grade premiership last season and are expected to be one of the teams to beat in tier one. Wingham finished last in second grade last summer, but with no Mid North Coast Premier League this year they should be a big improver.
Mr Steinmetz confirmed the association still planned to split tier two at the completion of one round, even if the team numbers remain at nine.
Pacific Palms has again nominated for tier two after returning to the competition last season after a 20 year absence.
Bulahdelah won third grade last season following a finals series marred by wet weather.
No play was possible in the grand final that was scheduled to be held on the weekend that major flooding hit the Mid North Coast area.
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