PREMIERS Lake Illawarra and Oak Flats loom as the teams to beat in South Coast Cricket with the opening round one-dayers taking place on Saturday.
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Lake Illawarra claimed the treble of the premiership, one-day trophy and Twenty20 crown last season and again look to have strengthened their squad this season.
- The 2015/16 season begins.
Lake Illawarra claimed the treble of the premiership, one-day trophy and Twenty20 crown last season and again look to have strengthened their squad this season.
Brendan White returns as skipper, with the Lakers having recruited former Bomaderry skipper Jordan Matthews, plus wicket-keeper Ryan Maguire, who played Sydney lower grades last season.
Meanwhile, former skipper Shane Cody is back to strengthen the batting and bowling.
Oak Flats are looking for a big season in their 40th year and will be keen to shed the bridesmaids tag after being runners-up to the Lakers in three trophies last season.
The Rats have signed former South Coast player of the year and leading spinner Ben Mitchell, who will not play every week, but will be right for the big games at the end of the season.
New captain Michael Arblaster also returns from Sydney, while talented ACT/NSW under-17s batsman Charlie Dummer will improve their batting.
‘‘We’ve picked up some handy players and are looking to do well in a big season for the club,’’ senior Oak Flats all-rounder Ryan Chatterton said.
The Rail were impressive in dominating the second-tier South Coast competition last season and under skipper Nathan Tyrrell should do well in the Premier League.
The Rail face Oak Flats at Geoff Shaw Oval in Saturday’s round one.
Craig Bramble is back to lead the Kookas and takes over from Gerard Healey, who is not playing this season.
Bramble said his team will be competitive and among the teams chasing a top four spot.
Kiama will have a new skipper this season with Matt O’Brien leaving the South Coast competition.
The Cavaliers will be keen to build on an encouraging third in the premiership last campaign.
Kiama host the Lakers in round one at Cavalier Park.
Finally, Albion Park have been battling for numbers in the pre-season and kick off the new season at home to Kookas in Saturday’s one-day round.
The South Coast Premier League features five rounds of one-day matches, followed by four rounds of Twenty20 matches.
All clubs then play one another throughout the two-day competition.
The South Coast Cricket competition draw is as follows for Saturday, October 10’s one-day round: Oak Flats vs The Rail at Geoff Shaw Oval; Kiama vs Lake Illawarra at Cavalier Park; Albion Park vs Kookas at Keith Grey Oval.