The Macleay Valley Cricket Association president Matt Brennan said there will be five first grade senior teams taking to the wicket.

“There will be five first grade, eight second and eight third grade teams taking to the field tomorrow,” Brennan said.

“In the first grade, the Rovers will take on Kempsey Heights and they will be looking to take out the Shield again for the third year in a row. 

“Rovers’ captain Tim Smith has lost some experienced players, but on paper they look like a very strong side. The team is built around youth, with talented players like Kurt Prosper and Ethan Dowling sure to dominate this year’s batting averages and bowling averages. 

“Youngsters Jack Bennett and Zeb Johnston return to the side with the later scoring a century on debut this time last year. The Club in general will be in for a great year on an off the field with five teams this year.

“Kempsey Heights are in a rebuilding stage and over the past few years they have lost several influential players. Led by the Giddy brothers, Todd and Blake, the Heights have reformed the Club back to their older glory days and have managed to field teams in each division. 

“If the Giddy Brothers fire they could be the surprise package of the year.”

Brennan said the match between first grade teams Nulla and the United All Blacks is set to raise tensions with Nulla again looking to be a force to be reckoned with in the 2015/16 season.

“Led by experienced Nulla captain Brody Clarke, they will be out to make amends for the disappointing result in last years grand final when rain cost them a premiership,” Brennan said.

“Youngster Dan Baker had an outstanding year with the bat last season and the runs will no doubt continue. 

“Combine with experience and youth the Nulla team will definitely start early favourites to take out this year’s first grade premiership.

“The United All Blacks would be slightly disappointed in last year’s results, not finishing further up the ladder, and will be out to make early amends for this. 

“They also have mixture of experience and youth and will be determined to finish higher on the ladder this season.”

The Rovers play Kempsey Heights at the South Kempsey Oval from 1pm and Nulla and the All Balcks  play at the fast Athletics Oval from 1pm.

The juniors will bowl the first ball of the season at 8.30am tomorrow with all three turf pitches in play at Stuarts Point, South West Rocks and Kempsey.