AFTER starting with T20 matches, the opening round of the North Coast Cricket Council’s 2021/22 Premier League season gets underway this weekend.

Last season’s Premier League champions Sawtell Cricket Club begin their premiership defence with a one-day match at home against Clarence River Cricket Association’s representative team on Sunday at Richardson Park.

The other two matches of the opening round are two-day matches with the first day played this Saturday and the second day played the following weekend.

Last season’s runners up the Northern Districts Rebels play host to the Coffs Colts in Woolgoolga.

This opening round match takes on extra significance as the Coffs Colts will be making their Premier League debut.

Northern Districts Rebels captain Taj Dosanjh told News Of The Area his side looked forward to going one better this season.

“Our squad is pretty similar to last year, but we do lose Blake Austin who has moved to Sydney,” he said.

“Our young leg spinner Lachy Carlyle will be back in December as he has broken his thumb, and he has great future prospects.”

The other Round 1 match sees Valleys Cricket hosting Harwood in Macksville.

After finishing last on the ladder in their debut season in the Premier League, Valleys Cricket were vastly improved in their second season finishing one win away from the grand final after losing their preliminary final to the Northern Districts Rebels.

Having won the 2019/20 Premier League title, Harwood regressed last season to not play finals.

 

By Aiden BURGESS