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Big season ahead for Cessnock cricketers

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“Let’s get onto the paddock” is the simple message from Cessnock District Cricket Association (CDCA) secretary Mark Bercini.

With community sport finally receiving the “green light”, it’s now all systems go for the CDCA, who will start its season on Saturday 30 October.

And, five clubs – champions Greta/Branxton, Wine Country, Piranhas, Mulbring and Bellbird – are vying for the honours in the Ross Smith Shield.

“I think everyone’s excited and can’t wait for the first ball to be bowled,” Bercini said.

“With the CDCA, we’re going to play a full round – five weeks – kicking off in the top grade at the end of the month.

“Then seconds and fourths will begin on 6 November.

“However, due to the lack of double vax rates, we’ve decided to hold off the thirds until 4 December.

“Singleton District Cricket Association (SDCA) is also starting that same weekend.

“Then we’ll combine with them for the Coalfields Cup.”

Bercini admitted there would be plenty of action in the middle between now and April.

“Cessnock players will contest a full round in the CDCA, before joining with SDCA for the Coalfields Cup,” he said.

“Ten sides – Greta/Branxton, Mulbring, Piranhas, Valley, Glendon, Creeks, Wine Country, PCH, JPC and Bellbird – are scheduled to play nine fixtures in that tournament; one game against everyone.

“There’ll be four matches before Christmas, we’ll return on 22 January and complete the remaining showdowns.

“The plan is to stage a six-team semi-final format this season.

“It’s something a bit different but it keeps those sides in the bottom half of the table in the comp a little longer.

“We’re really looking forward to it.

“When the Coalfields Cup wraps up, CDCA will host a grand final for the top two Cessnock teams.

“That’ll be for the Ross Smith Shield.

“Hopefully, if COVID-19 subsides and we can return to normal, we’ll conduct two rounds of the Coalfields Cup the following season.”

In 2021/22, the CDCA will boast a total of 23 sides – five each in firsts and seconds, six in thirds and seven in fourths.

It’s a drop of two teams from the past 12 months.

“Bellbird and Greta/Branxton have withdrawn sides from fourth grade, so we’ve only lost a couple,” Bercini said.

“We’re not too badly placed overall.

“However, post-lockdown, everyone’s chomping at the bit.

“We’ve worked hard to implement COVIDSafe plans to get the competition up and running.

“We also had to check with the clubs to see where we were at with vaccination rates.

“All of them seemed to have enough numbers to field teams, hence why we opted to start on 30 October.”

2021/22 Cessnock District Cricket Association

Ross Smith Shield

Round 1 (30 October)

  • Greta/Branxton v Wine Country (Miller 1)
  • Piranhas v Mulbring (East End)
  • Bye: Bellbird

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