The Cavaliers have formed a joint first-grade team with Gerringong to help provide the club’s emerging players a pathway to the top grade. 

With the south coast having received a considerable amount of rain over the past couple of days, a decision will be made on whether the games go ahead on Saturday morning. 

Should they take to the field, Kiama/Gerringong will face Kookas in Saturday’s opening round 50-over match, and vice-captain Ben Jones from Kiama, is looking forward to a tough contest. 

“We’ve been trying to get the numbers for a little while,” Jones said. “We just grew enough, but were just short for a full first-grade side. Gerringong were in a similar position as what we were with similar numbers, so they came on board.”

The team, to be captained by Gerringong’s Manning Berry, features a fairly even split of Kiama and Gerringong players.

Kiama finished last year’s second-grade competition as minor premiers, and with Gerringong qualifying for the finals, Jones is confident the team can feature near the top of the ladder. 

“I’m pretty confident, Manning and the boys from Gerringong made the finals last season and they’ve got some good players themselves. With those players it should be exciting to have a good push for a finals spot.”

In other games this weekend, defending premiers Lake Illawarra open their season with a trip to Croome Cricket Oval to take on The Rail. The Lakers were completely dominant in 2017-18, taking home the trophy in all three formats. 

Shellharbour play host to Oak Flats in a clash between two sides hoping to improve on last season.