Revamped plan for Grampians

Grampians Cricket Association gets underway this weekend with a newlook A Grade competition.

Gone are Tatyoon and Buangor, which have combined to form the Buangor-tatyoon Cricket Club.

Navarre also returns to B Grade after losing mainstay Tom Hannett to Ballarat club Wendouree, as well as other players. The Grasshoppers felt they would be outclassed in A Grade.

Promoted are B Grade premiers St Andrews, who return after a few years in the lower grades. They will come up against Swifts-great Western, Aradale, Youth Club, Pomonal and Halls Gap in the premier competition.

This leaves an unfortunate seven-team competition, with all the problems of an uneven number.

The main match in round one is a contest between Buangor-tatyoon and reigning premier Swifts-great Western at Buangor. Great interest will be in the composition of the new club. Who of the former players remain?

The merger came about because Tatyoon, which had been a one-team club, lost several players and approached Buangor, which had also lost players, including leading player Chris Jerram who has joined Ballarat association club East Ballarat.

The clubs decided to join forces and enter two teams in Grampians association. Depending on the remaining talent in the camp, this match might be a challenge to the visiting Combine.

St Andrews are up against old rival Aradale at Gordon Street Oval, Ararat.

In the past this match would have been fought tooth and nail, without either side giving an inch.

However, this is a different era, and much will depend on whether the Saints have regained any players lost when the club was demoted.

Aradale should have the experience to win this one.

The remaining match sees Halls Gap host Youth Club at Halls Gap.

The Gappers had a disappointing season last year, suffering many outright defeats, and had things gone differently, would have probably been demoted a grade.

The Gappers’ young players will have benefited from last season and the club will be hoping for improvement to make them more competitive this season.

Youth Club made the finals last season and should have talent to win this one. It also have some talented young players who should help make them a better team this year.

Pomonal has the bye and will start its season next round certain in the knowledge that it will be in the top four come Saturday night.