This weekend marks a new era in Cootamundra cricket.
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Two local teams will play on Albert Park, but they are part of a brand new competition promising more fierce inter-town rivalry.
The Cootamundra District Cricket Association has joined forces with Young and Temora to ensure regular, evenly-matched games this season.
According to Pat Kerin the mammoth effort is “25 years in the making”.
Pat expressed his gratitude to Young’s Brendon Meynell, a “mover and shaker” of the fledgling competition.
“Brendon not only drove this competition with a series of meetings, but he also sourced vast amounts of sponsorship which has paid for playing shirts for 15 teams,” he said.
Pat believes the change is necessary to sure up the future of local cricket.
“It’s sad to say but the days of small towns running their own competition are over.
“This combined competition is going to be a real shot in the arm for all three towns.”
It is fair to say Cootamundra has struggled to run a local competition in recent years.
Dwindling numbers saw just five teams take to the field last year, and some fairly regular mismatches.
Cootamundra has six teams this year.
They are split evenly between the Delta Agribusiness Premier League and Dunk Insurance Cup Division One.
The Family Hotel Cougars take on Wallendbeen at Albert Park on Saturday for the first match of the Dunk Insurance Cup.
A minute’s silence for Mick Connell will be recognised before the first ball.
Elsewhere Stockinbingal take on Temora Tigers at The Oval, Temora, the Young Hotel Saints clash with Temora Ex-Services Renegades at Keith Cullen Oval, Young, and the Criterion Gunners face Commercial Phoenix at Young North Public School.
The opening round of the Delta Agribusiness Premier League takes place next week, on Saturday October 17.
This time Albert Park will host one Young team as the Criterion Coyotes travel to challenge Cootamundra’s Central Hotel.
The other games see Shamrock Hotel take on YSC Young Ones at Temora West Sports Ground, and Mill Tavern Scorchers challenge Cootamundra’s Family Hotel Crusaders at Miller-Henry Oval, Young.
Cootamundra Ex-Services has the bye.
A decision is yet to be made as to whether a one-off game will be held to contest the historic Merrin Cup.
