Camden Haven withdraw application to join Mid North Coast Premier Cricket League in 2018/19

It was originally hoped in July that they would become the 10^th team in the competition, but club president Derek Gray has conceded that won’t be the case.

“We didn’t meet the criteria of having a second grade team that could step up to fill any vacant positions for a Premier League team,” he said.

“As a result we had to withdraw our application and we will play in the Hastings competition this season.

“They (Mid North Coast Cricket Council) were worried we wouldn’t have enough depth, but I strongly believe we have the boys that are up to that level.”

While Gray admitted the group of players he had earmarked to play in the Premier League were talented enough, the 12-month delay would help the club long-term.

“We’re not concerned we missed out this season,” he said.

“The boys will take the experience of playing in the first grade Hastings competition this season which will do them the world of good.”

Gray said he didn’t feel the club underestimated how much work was required originally to submit a proposal to be accepted into the competition.

“I know how much work is involved in running a club and we hoped a few of the former players would have come back but they didn’t,” he said.

Mid North Coast Cricket Council secretary Craig Lobegeier said it was a mutual decision between them and the Camden Haven club.

“We thought it was the best decision if there seemed to be a lack of players,” he said.

“They just didn’t have the right structure in place for some of their lower grades.”

Camden Haven’s withdrawal means each team will have two byes.

Lobegeier said there were positives and negatives of clubs having their season interrupted due to a bye.

“It does cause some problems with players slipping back and playing other grades, but you can’t stop that,” he said.

“But some clubs do like the bye because it gives them the weekend off.”

As a result, two weeks of T20 fixtures have been added to the draw with games to be played on December 15 and January 12.

Teams will be split into southern and northern conferences.

Nulla and Rovers will join Macquarie Hotel, Port Pirates and Port City Leagues Magpies in the northern conference.

Wauchope will join Taree West, Wingham and Taree United in the southern conference with the two leading teams to meet in the final on Australia Day.

“The T20 format breaks up the standard cricket format that you have throughout the season and it also gives players the chance to impress for the Macquarie Stingers next season,” Lobegeier said.

The Premier League season will start on October 13 – a week later then originally planned as the Regional Big Bash round will be played in Port Macquarie on October 6 and 7.