Central Hotel Cricket Club, which withdrew from the South West Slopes Cricket competition just days before the start of last year's competition, has reformed and is looking forward to the 2019-20 cricket season.
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Now known as the Central Hotel Rams, there is renewed enthusiasm in the camp with the re-emergence of cricketers including the Cronin brothers Mick, Aaron and Jason, plus old foes Daniel Rankin and Aaron Kemp.
Central Hotel last played in the South West Slopes Cricket League in 2017-18, finishing last after winning just two matches.
The Rams' opponents on Saturday are the two-time defending premiers, the Come Alive Fitness Crusaders. Despite losing players, the Crusaders still look to be formidable opposition.
They will miss Nathan Corby, who is playing in Wagga for St Michaels, while the Central Hotel cricketers who played for the Crusaders last season have returned to the Rams. They are John Stephens, Adam Twyford and Gene Kessell. The Crusaders' major signing is former Stockinbingal all-rounder Dilan Senevitathne. Dilan had an impressive season with Stockinbingal last season and finished as the leading wicket-taker for the village side with 22 wickets.
The Crusaders have named a squad of 16, which will be pruned to 12. Saturday's local derby at Albert Park starts at 1pm, with Jeff White officiating. The other Delta Agribusiness match is also a local derby at Cranfield Oval in Young, as the S & C Blues take on the Coyotes. Tom O'Brien is the officiating umpire.
Mimosa has the bye.
Cootamundra will again field two sides in the Dunk Insurance Cup, Stockinbingal and Cootamundra Ex-Services Magpies.
Stockinbingal hosts the Shamrock Hotel Leprechauns, while the Magpies will welcome the Criterion Gunners at Clarke Oval.
Stockinbingal has been minor premier the past two seasons, but has gone out in the finals in straight sets.
The Magpies, who finished sixth after forming last season, have a good blend of experience and youth and should press for a finals berth. The game will be the first senior match on the upgraded pitch.
