Stroud returns to the Dungog and District Cricket Association this season to expand the competition to seven teams.
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The competition resumes for the 2019-20 season this Saturday with Wallarobba and Karuah at Kaurah Oval in a replay of last year's grand final won by Wallarobba.
Stockmans take on Clarence Town at the Vacy Sportsground and Stroud plays Gresford at the Gresford Sportsground.
The junior cricket competition starts the following weekend with teams from a number of clubs within the Dungog Shire taking part in the Maitland competition.
Clarence Town and Stroud will both have delayed starts to home games.
Stroud has it first game at the Stroud Showground in round seven on November 30 against Stockmans.
Clarence Town's first game at Reg Ford Oval is in round eight on December 7 against Stockmans.
Dungog Cricket Association secretary Karen Sanders said it was great to have Stroud back in the competition after they played in the Gloucester District Cricket Association for a number of years.
Sanders said the Dungog association had been reduced to six teams with one of the two Karuah teams withdrawing last year.
She said having an additional team was great for the competition even though it meant having a bye.
"The bye has worked out for Bunnies as they will be all going to a teammate's wedding on the opening weekend when they have the first bye," Sanders said.
"I think it will enable players to plan breaks across the season."
The 14-round season breaks for Christmas on December 14 and resumes on January 11. Semi-finals will begin on February 21.
Sanders said the expansion of the competition was a good sign for the Dungog senior competition and things were looking even brighter at the junior level.
Dungog, Gresford Vacy, Clarence Town and Paterson are all running junior teams in the Maitland and District Junior Cricket Association competition.
"Gresford Vacy have expanded from one to three teams now, with one calling the Vacy Sportsground home," she said.
Round 1, October 12
Karuah v Wallarobba at Karuah Oval
Clarence Town v Stockmans at Vacy Sportsground
Stroud v Gresford at Gresford Sportsground
Bunnies bye
Round 2, October 19
Wallarobba v Bunnies at Bennett Park
Stockamns v Karuah at Vacy Sportsground
Gresford v Clarence Town at Gresford Sportsground
Stroud bye