IT seems many of the local sportsmen will only just have wiped the dirt stains from their knees from football season and it is time for representative cricket.

This weekend is the opening round of the inter-district cricket with the Hastings River Cricket Association travelling to Kempsey to play Macleay.

Manager Geoff Toombs said the defending champions were ready for the first game of the

representative season.

“It is a replay of last years decider so should be a good game to get back into it with,” Toombs said.

“We have a few changes to the team this year with guys like Andrew Glover leaving to play cricket in Sydney.”

Andrew Murrell from Wauchope Cricket Club is a new fast bowler in the team and will probably open the attack with Jason Herdegen.

“We also have Brian Fowler back in the fold after a couple of seasons out,” Toombs said.

“And Jason Dodds is in his second season in Port Macquarie colours after joining us from Kempsey.

“So for him it is a home coming of sorts.”

This weekends game will be followed by the opening round of the Country Cup against Manning Valley at Oxley Oval.

Players should contact manager Geoff Toombs on 0412 343 206 if they are unavailable.