NMCA 2018-19: Lalor Warriors’ Jika Shield withdrawal prompts reshuffle of top three grades
RELEGATED Northern Socials or Preston YCW District are in line to fill the vacancy left by Lalor Warriors’ withdrawal from North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield.
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RELEGATED Northern Socials or Preston YCW District are in line to fill the vacancy left by Lalor Warriors’ withdrawal from North Metro Cricket Association Jika Shield.
The Warriors will play in Kemp Shield this summer, citing a player shortage as their primary reason for requesting to be dropped after finishing seventh last season in the top grade.
NMCA 2018-19: LALOR WARRIORS WITHDRAW FROM JIKA SHIELD
The NMCA is expected to make a decision on Wednesday night as to whether Northern Socials, who finished bottom of Jika Shield in 2017-18, or Quick Shield grand finalist Preston YCW District will fill the void.
“We have asked (Preston YCW District) to consider the move,” NMCA general manager Neil Riley said.
“We’ll discuss that with them when they submit their answer to that request.
“We have also got to look at the team that went down last year and see what their plans are as well.
“We have got to look at the profile of both those clubs and who has got the longer future playing A Grade cricket.
“Northern Socials have been up and down the last few years.”
The changes will cause a shuffle of clubs in the second and third tier of the NMCA, with Kelly Shield runner-up Donath or Olympic Colts to be elevated to Quick Shield.
An additional vacancy has been created in the second tier due to Darebin Chargers’ move to the North West Metro Cricket Association.
Strathewen is set to be promoted to Kelly Shield from D Grade and the NMCA is in discussions with another club about joining the third tier.
Riley said he expected the Jika and Quick Shield structures would be decided on Wednesday, although Kelly Shield will take longer.
“It’s a snowball effect,” he said.
“Darebin Chargers have elected to leave our comp and go to the North West.
“It’s one of those things, we are trying to get round pegs into square holes.”
He said it was a “damn shame’ the Warriors had been forced to fall to D Grade after only being able to enter one team.
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