Most notbaly, the Culburra Beach Cricket Club  returns to SDCA after six-year absence.

In terms of first grade, Ulladulla United and North-Nowra Cambewarra are noticeable absentees, leaving six teams to battle it out.

United was formed in 1968/69 and has been a regular in first grade since then, except for the 2006/07 season.

This including winning three first grade premierships, most recently in 2004/05.

North-Nowra Cambewarra  originally entered the competition as North Nowra Tavern in 1987/88 and changed to their current name in 1991/92.

Soonly after that, they entered first grade in 1994/95 and have been a regular ever since, without ever playing in a grand final.

To prepare for the action this weekend, we asked each team how they are shaping up.

Scott Fagerlund (Nowra):

Additions to the team: Jason Bell (from Bomaderry) and Jack Watts

Losses: Adam Isen and Justin Weller

Key batsman: Daniel Bryant

Key bowler: Michael Coulter

Aims: We are out to have a good season and hopefully go one better than last year. The competition is going to be tough this season but we are aiming to make finals in all competitions and hopefully win a few.

Andrew Malcolm (Batemans Bay):

Additions: Sam Lee (Queanbeyan), Nathan Bell, Grant Morris and Wes Holmes (Ulladulla).

Losses: Ryan Chamberlain.

Key batsmen: Tim Hartshorn and Sam Lee.

Key Bowler: Marc Stiller and Nathan Bell.

X-Factor: Sam Lee, who is a promising young player with bat and ball.

Prospects: Hoping to push our way into a finals spot after a solid last season.

Jonathon Hill (Bay and Basin):

Blake Munilla (Bomaderry):

Additions: Nick McDonald, Graham Davidson, Matthew Hickmott, Ben King-Gee and Matthew O

Brien

Losses: Jordan Matthews

Key batsman: Nick Jennings in the middle order and Nick McDonald and Paul Sawkins in the top order.

Key bowlers: John Muggelton and Stu Jefferey opening and spinner Matthew O’Brien

X-Factors: Ben King-Gee and Graham Davidson. Both are good allrounders who will need to bat and bowl well for us.

Prospects: Zac Blattner batted and matured well last year and will need him to improve again this year.

Aims: Finish in the top four and as we have a bit more experience within the team from last season, we willl be looking to defend a title or two this season.

Kieran Gray (Berry):

Trevor Thomason (Ex-Servicemean’s)

Additions: Paul Maiolo and Rod Davis

Losses: Josh Jones, Nate Jones and Sam Stewart

Key Batsman: Graham Phillis

Key Bowler: Shane Phillis

X factor: Matt Tyler

Prospects: Matt Ganderton