Shoalhaven cricket starts this Sunday

Having made the grand final in each of the last seven seasons, Berry has been a power in this competition and will be keen to exert its superiority against this old rival.

Re-appointed captain Brian Gray is confident of his team's chances, despite a few changes in personnel.

Missing from the side on Sunday will be the Bowden brothers, Nathan who has joined Nowra, and Luke who will not be playing until he completes his HSC examinations.

Bill Moffatt may not be a regular player, but he will have substantial input as club coach, working with both seniors and juniors.

Berry has outstanding batting depth, as evidenced by the fact it had seven of the top 13 rungetters in the SDCA first grade competition last season.

Gray will lead by example, while Trent Boundy and the Dudgeon brothers, Brad and John can also be expected to be heavy scorers.

Strong support comes from Peter O'Keeffe and allrounder Troy Webster.

Some of the youngsters in the club are expected to move up, notably 17-year-old Simon Willis who made a name for himself with the Southern Zone 16s last season.

Webster will lead the attack with Rod Eirth, while Luke Bramley and Luke Saare will keep the pressure on.

Nowra returns to the top division after two years, determined to again become a force.

Newly appointed captain Tony Bailey is a very experienced cricketer, and previously had the leadership role with Albatross.

He will have solid support from allrounder Craig Larsen who is back after two seasons with South Coast team Jamberoo.

Larsen was one of the driving forces in the club's resurgence, and he will be a key player in the line-up.

The club has recruited Nathan Bowden, a Southern Zone under 17 rep last season, who has crossed from Berry.

He is one of the district's most promising young players, and will be keen to do well here against his former team-mates.

After few appearances in the past 18 months, former Jeffrey Cup player Andrew Johnston is also ready to make his presence felt.

From last season's second grade combination, Mark Campbell, Scott Wilson and Brenton James stand out as players capable of making good contributions in firsts.

This match is the first step in Nowra's long-term plan to have teams in all senior grades within two or three years, while nurturing juniors and introducing them to senior cricket.

* These teams have met on 53 occasions since 1960, and Nowra has had the edge in this period.

It has won 24 matches to Berry's 17, with 10 draws and two tied results.

Bomaderry

favoured

Club champions Bomaderry will be favoured to start the season with a victory when they tackle Central Districts at Sanctuary Point Oval.

The return of the 1998-99 premiership winning captain Heath Muller will be a huge boost for Bomaderry.

He joined Mosman for 1999-2000 before having last season off, but has returned to Bomaderry full of enthusiasm.

After just missing last year's grand final with a relatively young combination, the side has the potential to go further here.

The captaincy is to be decided late in the week, but Muller and incumbent Jamie Thomas have been working together in the pre-season and nothing will be lost, whichever gains the post.

No players have gone from the semi-final line-up, but they will all be under pressure to perform.

Former first grade batsmen John Studdert and Eddie Dinnie have returned to the fold, while Andrew Faulks and Ben Lynch are making comebacks after little cricket in four seasons.

Youngsters Nathan Harvey and Brent Innis batted soundly in one trial match, while after a year off, promising bowler Jamie Gardner may also challenge during the season.

Thomas will again be the key batsman in the side, both for his ability to score quickly and to play the big innings.

Muller will also take a place in the top order, with Jed Sawkins and Dean Hartnett (when shift work allows him to play).

Michael Lees and Greg Wellington may take the new ball on Sunday, but the slow bowlers will do much of the work.

With Muller, Thomas and Shane Wallace, Bomaderry will boast the best spin attack in the competition.

The home team finished last season with a disappointing run of defeats, but will look to lift its performance here.

Missing from the line-up will be young bowler and Jeffrey Cup rep Dane Sunderland who has joined Wollongong University, and Phil Norton who has been posted out of the district.

On the other hand, the attack will be boosted by the inclusion of Darren O'Keefe who returns to Central after three seasons at Ulladulla United, and Mick Boyes who has been out of the scene for two years.

Joe Gogerly, who played only three games last summer, is also expected to be a regular.

Another inclusion may be former Narrandera allrounder Michael Dolby who has joined the club.

Teenager Glen Hayward was the most consistent scorer in 2000-01, and he will get strong support from Heath Tan and Mick Rolfe.

The attack will be led by Luke Gogerly and Lee Hayward, while allrounder Terry Rudd is expected to again be a force.

* In 14 previous clashes between these teams, there is nothing between them.

Each side has won six matches, with the other two drawn.

Ex-Servicemen a force

Grand finalists Ex-Servicemen will look for a winning start to the season when they travel to Artie Smith No. 2 Oval to tackle North Nowra-Cambewarra.

With Bob Jennings Medallist Trevor Lillico re-appointed as captain, the visitors are expected to again be a force.

However there will be some changes to the side that played off for the flag in March.

Allrounder Neil Dickie joined the army straight after that match, while veteran batsman Gary Bridge has retired after a 228-game first grade career - which made him number two on the club's all-time list.

While he is still with the club, Steve Hutchison has indicated that he will turn out in second grade.

Lillico was the key batsman last season, for when he fired the team looked formidable.

However strong support will come from Scott Merivale, Damien Costain and club president David Sloane.

Shane Mackey and Syd Weller were the most successful members of the attack in 2000-01, but Lillico may also play an increased role here.

Two youngsters who played in the grand final, Chris Brunton and Ben O'Donnell both have the potential to secure regular first grade positions and to make sound contributions.

Others from the second grade premiership team will keep the pressure on the fringe players in the firsts.

North Nowra finished last season well to reach the semi-finals, and will look to build on that form.

Spearhead Steve Muller has agreed to take the captaincy, and will lead by example.

He will be backed up by vice-captain Alan Muggleton who stepped down after leading North Nowra for its first seven seasons in first grade.

Muggleton will remain an important batsman in the line-up, but he will need greater support.

This may come from Barry Jennings and Nick Hattersley who both showed out on occasions last summer.

Two newcomers to North Nowra who may press for first grade berths are Ricky May (formerly with Lismore) and Paul Doddeman (from Thirroul).

The club also looks forward to the return of former player Christian Mills who is set to be posted back to the district from Wagga Wagga after Christmas.

Muller heads the attack, but he will miss Matt Gallan who has moved to Canberra, and Nigel Rowan who has been posted to Sale (Vic.).

Support with the ball will come from Matt Ganderton who developed well last year, Muggleton and Greg Stephenson.

* Ex-Servicemen have the edge in previous clashes between these two.

They have won nine matches to North Nowra's two, with three other clashes drawn.

Keenly contested

The other game will see Ulladulla United tackle Rugby Union at Lighthouse Oval, and it promises to be a keenly contested fixture.

Although neither side reached the semi-finals last season, both were in the running until the final stages.

United has lost most of its best performers from 2000-01, and appears likely to struggle in the early part of the season at least.

Notable absentees will be the team's two best batsmen, Brock Siegert and Levi Fowler who both represented Southern Zone Colts last season.

Other regulars Craig Barca, Tim Davis and Mark Jackson have indicated they will not play, while Darren O'Keefe is transferring to Central Districts.

Left to head the batting are Greg Sheedy, Jason Abbott and Robert Thompson senior who all have the ability to get runs.

It had been expected that promising Leigh Pearson would come into the side, but he has apparently had second thoughts and informed officials he will not be playing.

Pace bowler Adam Cross has been appointed captain, and his team will also include some from last year's second grade grand final side, along with youngsters Jacom Wiesberger and Robert Thompson junior

Rugby was the big improver in 2000-01, and it expects to retain most players, an exception being Rod Tebbutt who has moved to Canberra.

Darren Jones misses the first part of the season because of a soccer tour, but he will return shortly.

Heaviest scorer last year was 16-year-old Trevor Thomason who after working in the off-season with the Illawarra Academy's cricket squad, is set to show further improvement.

Now that he has moved out of junior ranks, Thomason will also be able to make greater contributions with the ball.

Tim Lynch will again lead the side, and he will be a key batsman with Owen Jones and Ben Jennings.

Reported to be joining the club from Nowra is Mark Bailey who impressed in his only first grade season (1999-2000), and his free scoring should benefit the side.

Dean Trost is a very capable allrounder, and he will feature in the attack with John White and Garry Downey.

* Traditionally, Rugby Union has had the wood on United in head to head clashes.

It has won 19 matches to 10, with seven draws in their 36 clashes.