The 2008 Mid North Zone Senior Cricket Council Super League competition commences this Saturday with 16 clubs competing.
The 16 clubs participating in the 5-week pre-season tournament are from the Belalie-Mokota, Rocky River and Mount Maurice associations with Stanley opting to once again not take up the challenge.
Wanderers or 1st division has Booborowie, Burra, Booleroo/ Willowie, Orroroo, Georgetown and Wirrabara/Murraytown competing for the title.
Belalie/Mannanarie, Pekina/ Carrieton, Crystal Brook, Laura and Bundaleer make up the Lords division while the Gabba division has Wandearah, Redhill, Spalding, Wilmington/Melrose and Gladstone.
Looking at the clubs from the Belalie-Mokota association there will be a few changes to each line-up as they head into the long summer. 2007/08 Belalie-Mokota Champions Burra will be without one of their standout players from the past couple of seasons. Hard-hitting batsman Tony Spackman has returned to the goldfields of Kalgoorlie and will be sorely missed.
Ryan Bevan is back around the traps and should wield the willow when he’s not working while Zac and Johnny Lynch will step up to full time ‘A’ Grade cricket having passed the age limit for the Colts.
Booborowie will have a big hole to fill in their team this season. Skipper Adam Willis is no longer in the district, he’s managing Arcoona station and will play cricket at Woomera which will be a massive blow to the black and whites.
On the positive side for Boob, Tim Dalla will probably line up, speedster Ian Grace is a big chance of returning to strengthen the bowling attack and Rams ‘B’ Grade coach Shawn Rayson is keen to play Super League cricket.
Belalie/Mannanarie won’t have too many changes to their line-up although they will be without one of their quality youngsters. Opening bowler Braedon Renshaw is in Adelaide having a crack with the West Torrens Cricket Club.
Bundaleer will be a lot better cricket team this season than they were in 2007/08. Luke and Scott Clark will bolster the side considerably having missed last year to undergo knee constructions. Hamish Tonkin has moved to Adelaide and won’t be venturing out to the forest.
Spalding will head into this season without one of their prize recruits from last year but they have signed a new player to the club. Matt Impey is no longer in the area but Ben Reschke has signed on the dotted line and if he’s half as good with the bat and ball as he is with the oval shaped blown up piece of pig skin he’ll be very handy.
Good luck to all clubs competing in this unique competition and by the time the regular fixtures get under way in mid November all players should just about have their eye in.
This week's fixtures
Wanderers
Booborowie v Burra at Booborowie
Booleroo/Willowie v Orroroo at Booleroo HS
Georgetown v Wirrabara/Murraytown at Georgetown
Lords
Belalie/Mannanarie v Pekina/Carrieton at Jamestown
Crystal Brook v Laura at Crystal Brook
Bundaleer-Bye
Gabba
Wandearah v Redhill At Port Oval
Spalding v Wilmington/Melrose at Spalding
Gladstone-Bye