NDCA hosts annual general meeting at Narrabri RSL Club

Narrabri District Cricket Association hosted its 2022-23 campaign annual general meeting at the Narrabri RSL Club last Wednesday, September 14, which was attended by almost 30 people from the four local clubs.

Narrabri RSL Cricket Club, Tatts Cricket Club and the Tourist Hotel Narrabri Cricket Club all nominated two teams for the coming campaign – one in first grade and one in second grade – however, Western Razorbacks only nominated a first grade side.

Following discussions between the clubs regarding the format of the second grade season, all options are now being explored to ensure a fourth team is included in 2022-23 and that a bye is not introduced.

A discussion regarding the start time and format of the first grade one day season was also had.

The idea of reducing the number of overs per innings from 45 to 40 was floated, as was a 1pm start time, but neither was agreed on and the competition will remain a 45-over one with 12.30pm start times.

Josh Rose was re-elected as the NDCA president for season 2022-23, with David McInnes (senior vice-president), Bill Wood (secretary), Will Ford (junior vice-president) and Luke Meppem (treasurer) making up the rest of the executive.

NDCA life member Tony Meppem is the patron for the 2022-23 campaign, while board members include Kaleb Mowle, Lachlan Woolford, Brendon Ward, Steve Phelps and Jarrett Tough.

A three-man grounds’ committee will be chaired by Mowle and also includes two club skippers in Tough and Craig Gleeson.

All four clubs have now held their annual general meetings ahead of the coming season, which is expected to get underway with one day matches on Saturday, October 15.

Defending champions RSL will be captained by Jarrett Tough in first grade and Justin Saunders in second grade. Those two men led their teams to 2021-22 campaign one day comp premiership victories back in March.

For the Tatts, Jakeb Nipperess has replaced the outgoing Jake Packer as first grade captain, and Craig Gleeson will again captain the second grade side.

Tourist Hotel will be skippered by Luke Meppem in first grade, and the club’s second grade side will be co-captained by Kaleb Mowle and David McInnes.

The Western Razorbacks will be led by Dylan Smith, who returns to the club following two successful seasons at Tamworth District Cricket Association side Old Boys.

Meanwhile, the Namoi Super Slog T20 comp will return this year after it did not proceed last season due to flooding in the Narrabri Shire that saw the majority of cricket cancelled before the Christmas and New Year break.

The defending champions Priag Marketing will once again be joined by WTC Earthmoving, J and D Weed Management (formerly Rose Pest Control) and Specialised Civil Services.

The third edition of the four-team franchise-based competition is likely to get underway before Christmas, and teams will once again be formed at a draft event that is expected to be held in November.