The Port Stephens Pythons have secured their tenth club championship title in the Maitland and District Cricket Association one day competition.
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The Pythons accumulated more than 800 points from their A, B and C grade teams in 2010-2011 and finished more than 150 clear of their nearest rival the Caledonian Tigers.
It was a dominant display from the Pythons once more this season and took the club’s overall tally to double figures after claiming their first championship in 1998-1999.
All three teams from the back-to-back club champions qualified for this weekend’s semi-finals and Pythons president Jarrod Moxey said the improved performance of C-grade was integral to their success.
“You are always aiming to do well, all clubs do,” Moxey said.
“But the club championship was not our priority.
“Our priority was C-grade and getting the guys into the finals to give them some more confidence.
“One year they didn’t win a game and last year they only won one so to make the finals is a great effort.”
The Pythons’ A and B grade teams have claimed minor premierships this season and are aiming for consecutive grand final wins.
In A-grade, the Pythons’ campaign begins with a major semi-final encounter against Largs at Hinton Oval while Tenambit Morpeth clash with the Bradford Hotel in the minor semi-final at King Park 5.
In B-grade, the Pythons will play Hinton at Tenambit Oval in the major semi-final while Fred Harvey and the Raworth Rabbitohs clash in a must-win fixture at Shamrock Hill.
In C-grade, the Pythons will take on Maitland City Bowls, Sports and Recreation Club in the minor semi-final at East Maitland Park while Lochinvar and Caledonian Hotel will meet in the major semi-final at Margaret Johns Oval.
In D-grade, Ernie Jurd Oval will host the Rabbitohs up against Maitland Ex-Services in the major semi-final while the minor semi-final will be played between the Caledonian Hotel and SMR at Howe Park.
In E-grade, the Caledonian Hotel make their third appearance in the play-offs with a minor semi-final battle with Maitland Ex-Services at Thornton 2 while Largs and the Kurri Kookaburras will go head-to-head at Max McMahon Oval in the major semi-final.
All matches are scheduled for Saturday.
Preliminary finals will be held on March 17 and grand finals on March 24.
