And, while it’s still early days, when Norths and Raymond Terrace meet in a one-dayer at Lorn Park on Saturday both sides will be coming off convincing wins.

Norths destroyed rivals Easts with an against-the-odds outright victory at East Maitland Park.

Terrace were perhaps a touch less convincing in accounting for Thornton, managing only 152 with the bat, but fast bowling ace Nick Savage did the rest with 6-36 to see his side home.

“The season is still very young but it’s a big game for both sides, no doubt,” Norths captain Mike Wilson said. 

“We have a few players out but we’re going in to the match off a strong showing against Easts. We bowled well, built pressure and we caught everything that came our way.”

The absence of a number of players – “weddings and family commitments” – gives teenage all rounder Ethan Gladman the chance to step up for his first grade debut for Norths.

He scored a 50 and took five wickets last match in second grade.

“He’ll bat in the middle order and bowls handy medium pacers,” Wilson explained, saying the onus would be on the experienced players to step up.

“We have maybe four players away, which made our win against Easts all the better.

“You know that if you play Raymond Terrace you have to play well.

“They don’t have Aaron and Shannon Bills this season which is a loss, but Nick Savage is still there and clearly bowling well. What was it .. six wickets last week?

“He was Man of the Match in last season’s final so we know how good he can be.”

Mitchell Pinch’s spinners bring variety to the attack, an excellent foil for Savage.    

In other matches Easts will need to step up when they play the powerful City United lineup at East Maitland Park.

While Easts suffered an outright loss, City were able to take maximum points from their clash with newcomers Port Stephens last Saturday.

Captain Matt Trappell was delighted with his team’s win, describing it as one of their best all-round team efforts for quite some time.

Wests slipped to a first innings loss against Kurri last weekend but get a chance to get their season started when they meet Port Stephens at King Park.

Port, new boys in this season’s competition, struggled with the bat in their outright loss to City, being rolled for 114 and 90.

Probably the most worrying aspect for them was that their batting big guns Jarrod and Joshua Moxey both did reasonably well – but when they went, the next best score over either innings was 13.

They will need to get their batting sorted if they want to hold Wests.

In the other match Kurri, so impressive in downing Wests away from home, will be on their home turn when they take on Thornton.

If Kurri’s bowlers can bowl with the same discipline as they showed against Wests, they look set for a good season.

DRAW

Easts v City United at Easts

Norrths v Raymond Terrace at Lorn

Port Stephens v Wests at King Park

Kurri v Thornton at Kurri