The Harden Hornets Senior Cricket Club have chosen not to play in the Yass District Cricket Association for the upcoming 2022/23 season, instead opting to play in the South West Slopes Cricket League (SWSCL).

The decision is based around the lack of teams competing in the Yass District Cricket Association, as well as a closer proximity to neighbouring towns in the SWSCL. Harden coach and clubman Kelvin Brown said the decision was a straightforward one.

“We’ve decided to join the South West Slopes Cricket League,” Kelvin said.

“The general thoughts are we’re probably quite disappointed to leave the Yass comp because they’ve been quite good to us, but with the lack of sides in the comp itself, our hands were virtually forced to have to move.

“Boorowa moved both their teams across which meant we really had to follow suit. “The SWSCL includes teams such as Cootamundra, Young, Temora, Stockinbingal, Bribbaree, Burrangong, and Murringo.

“It’s a decision the Hornets made, not the Yass District Cricket Association, mainly because of the lack of teams in the Yass comp.

“It looked like we were down to only three teams in B Grade left in the Yass comp which means we would play two weeks then have a bye.

We were virtually forced to have to go across to play in a comp where there is going to be more teams and games.” Both the SWSCL and Yass District Cricket Association has Open A and B Grade competitions, with the Hornets finding a home in the new B Grade structure. “It looks like the SWSCL will have between eight and ten teams in B Grade.

The numbers haven’t been finalised yet, depending on which sides go up to A Grade,” Kelvin continued.

The expected start date of the SWSCL for the upcoming 2022/23 season is slated to be on the first weekend in October, however, will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Kelvin said the Hornets are expected to go into this season with a similar squad to last season.

“Coaches and players will be similar to last year. Phillip Woodhead and myself will be managing and coaching the team.

Danny Arabin was captain, so he’ll probably be captain again this year, I’d say.

“We’re still hunting numbers because everybody’s just finishing up with football, so people are just starting to think about cricket again.

“We’re trying to get people interested in cricket now, but they’ve still got presentation nights and end of season functions for football.”

The Harden Hornets welcome all returning or new players for the upcoming cricket season and can contact Kelvin Brown on 0418 492 398 if players are interested in registering.

“We’re looking for players of all ages and abilities.

The whole focus of the team again is about participation and bringing the juniors through.

“Another reason for us moving is that all our juniors play in the South West Slopes Junior Cricket League and we had situations where they had games locally and the seniors were at Yass and those kids couldn’t play for us those weekend’s in B Grade because of the big distances involved.

“By everyone playing in the neighbouring towns, we will start to line up better with where our kids are playing.”

Tim Warren