Sale-Maffra cricketers will endeavour to get the season underway tomorrow.
The SMCA called off the opening round two days before it was scheduled to begin after flash flooding left grounds unplayable.
While weather has been more favourable this week, the sheer volume of water left to drain has put pressure on curators to try and tend to grounds.
College Oval, one of the grounds most affected, was at least free of water on Wednesday, however, the extend of the flood damage has left the boundary on the club room side muddied.
The Collegians first graders won’t be playing at home if they get on tomorrow, but won’t be travelling too far either, as they take on Sale.
While it is a Grand Final rematch, the teams have changed markedly since six months ago.
Noah Hurley and Adrian Burgiel are gone from Collegians, while Sale might have South African recruit Shaun Wolmarans firing and ready to return serve by letting go of a few thunderbolts, just as Hurley did to the Swans the last time they met.
Another game will be played in Sale a little further down the road at Guthridge Parade, when Longford welcomes Maffra.
The Lizards might fancy their chances of sneaking a win against an Eagles outfit that could still not yet be totally into ‘cricket mode’ after having the bye last week.
Longford has added a few internationals this season, while Maffra has picked up Lachie Dowd and Seb Pendergast from Stratford, who could be called on to bowl important overs.
In preseason discussions, Yarram was seen as the equivalent to Maffra, and pundits might get an early indication to see if this is the case from the new kids on the block when they make the trip to the Briagolong bush.
Yarram, in the SMCA for the first time this season, will be looking to make a statement, as will the Saints, eager to make up for a wooden spoon finish last season.
Birds nesting in the Briagolong red gums will want to be alert tomorrow, if either one of Yarram’s Anthony Scott or Burgiel, now playing with Boisdale-Briagolong, connect with a few over square.
A good contest is looming between Stratford and Bundalaguah.
Both sides have quality spinners in their line-up, and Jack Rietschel and Jake Wynd will be out to rag a few away from right handers for the Redbacks and Bulls respectively – Rietschel with his left arm orthodox and Wynd with his leg spinners.
There could be some friendly fire, with Nathan French now playing for Bundalaguah against his old side.
Rosedale-Kilmany has the bye, something they might well welcome given there was still a huge amount of water in the town this week.
The Warriors could use the extra week as grace to try and work on their wicket.
Representative cricket also commences this weekend.
Sale-Maffra will be skippered by Boisdale-Briagolong’s Dylan Bolton in the seniors, who are playing Bairnsdale on Sunday at Bolton’s home club.
The under 18s play at Stephenson Park.
