By Justin Flynn
CROSS-town rivals Ocean Grove and Collendina have drawn each other in round one of the new Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association season.
The season kicks off with a one-day clash on 8 October when the Cobras host Ocean Grove at the Snake Pit. The two teams will meet each other for a second time in round four on 12 and 19 November at Menzies Memorial Oval.
Collendina finished runners-up last season while a late season flurry wasn’t enough to get the Grubbers into the finals.
Wallington has withdrawn its A Grade team from the competition, leaving A Grade with just nine teams and a bye.
Collendina’s bye is in round three on 29 October and 5 November. The Cobras requested their bye to co-incide with the Bellarine Relay for Life, which will be held at Collendina Recreation Reserve on 5 November.
The Cobras also have another bye on January 7, which could prove pivotal. Any team that has two byes, automatically gets average winning points for that round. Given the timing of the second bye so close to the Christmas/New Year break, a guaranteed six points would have everyone at the Snake Pit smiling.
Ocean Grove’s bye comes in round nine, a two-day clash on 28 January and 4 February.
The Grubbers won’t have to wait long for their other big clash for the season – the Battle of the Bridge against Barwon Heads, which will be in round two on 15 and 22 October. It will also be the first ever A Grade clash at Menzies Memorial Oval at Shell Road.
Ocean Grove will meet reigning premiers Anglesea in round three while Collendina will play the Roos in round eight.
OCEAN GROVE
Round 1, 8 October v Collendina (away).
Round 2, 15 and 22 October v Barwon Heads (home).
Round 3, 29 October and 5 November v Anglesea (away).
Round 4, 12 and 19 November v Collendina (home).
Round 5, 26 November and 3 December v Barrabool (away).
Round 6, 10 and 17 December v Queenscliff (home).
Round 7, 7 January v Drysdale (home).
Round 8, 14 and 21 January v Drysdale (away).
Round 9, 28 January and 4 February bye.
Round 10, 11 and 18 February v Jan Juc (away).
Round 11, 25 February and 4 March v Portarlington (home).
COLLENDINA
Round 1, 8 October v Ocean Grove (home).
Round 2, 15 and 22 October v Drysdale (away).
Round 3, 29 October and 5 November bye.
Round 4, 12 and 19 November v Ocean Grove (away).
Round 5, 26 November and 3 December v Portarlington (home).
Round 6, 10 and 17 December v Barwon Heads (home).
Round 7, 7 January bye.
Round 8, 14 and 21 January v Anglesea (away).
Round 9, 28 January and 4 February v Jan Juc (home).
Round 10, 11 and 18 February v Barrabool (home).
Round 11, 25 February and 4 March v Queenscliff (away).
Semi-finals, 11 and 12 March.
Grand final, 18 and 19 March, reserve day 25 March.
