MEREWETHER
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Last season: 2nd, won final
Gains: Mark Cameron (Western Australia Warriors), David Celep (Wallsend)
Losses: Scott Montgomery (Melbourne), Josh Forsyth (Wallsend)
Captain: Simon Moore
Bottom line: After a season in which they won the two-day, 50-over and Twenty20 trifecta and reached the SCG Country Cup final, it would be hard to imagine Merewether becoming even stronger, but they have. Less than two years ago Mark Cameron was bowling for Australia A against England, and his return to his home town is the biggest coup for Newcastle cricket in years. David Celep's acrimonious departure from Wallsend has further strengthened the Lions, who already have NSW Country stars Simon Moore, Troy Goodwin and Pat Darwen.
Prediction: 1st
HAMILTON-WICKHAM
Last season: 1st, lost semi-final
Gains: Mitchell Cox (City United, Maitland), David Fisher (Tamworth), Scott Woods (Cessnock)
Losses: Andrew Mullard (City United, Maitland)
Captain: Kirk Mullard
Bottom line: Hamwicks have claimed back-to-back minor premierships to be the most consistent club in Newcastle cricket, but the lack of silverware is a concern. Batsman Josh Trappel has been given a more senior role and will lead the side until Kirk Mullard's return from the UK in late October. In Trappel, his brother Matt, the Webber twins Sam and Matt and NSW Country quick Andrew Maher, the Pumas have the squad to again challenge for the minor premiership. They are perhaps the only side with the firepower to halt a star-studded Merewether.
Prediction: 2nd
UNIVERSITY
Last season: 5th
Gains: Joe Curk (Wallsend), Michael Radnidge(St George), Tim Prescott (Norths, Maitland)
Losses: None
Captain: Josh Emerton
Bottom line: Repeated batting collapses cost Uni any chance of making a successful title defence last season. Uni have moved to solve their batting woes by signing Maitland cricket's leading run-scorer of last summer Tim Prescott (408 at 51) and Newcastle's second best run-getter Joe Curk (661 at 44.07). Former Toronto speedster Michael Radnidge has returned from a stint in Sydney and will further complement a strong bowling line-up that includes Luke Bird and Josh Bennett.
Prediction: 3rd
WESTERN SUBURBS
Last season: 6th
Gains: Aaron Wivell (Wallsend), Rhodri Evans (UK), Alex Jenkins (Tamworth), Matt Latham (City United, Maitland), Josh Manton (overseas)
Losses: Luke Brooks (City and Suburban)
Captain: Ben Woolmer
Bottom line: Wests were the big improvers last season, coming from winless wooden spooners to be battling for a semi-final berth in the space of a season. Another highlight was reaching the Twenty20 decider, the Rosellas' first top-grade final since 1998-99. Classy trio Ben Woolmer, Anthony Hobson and Scott Sharma will again be vital, but Aaron Wivell and Rhodri Evans will create more depth in the batting. Medium pacer Peter Lojszczyk made big strides last season and should continue to develop.
Prediction: 4th
BELMONT
Last season: 3rd
Gains: Daniel Bailey (Blacktown), Mark Jones (Northern District)
Losses: Greg West (Newcastle City), Beau McClintock (ACT), Alex Pinfold (Fremantle), Liam Guest (St George).
Captain: Mark Littlewood
Bottom line: Newcastle representative skipper Mark Littlewood will again shoulder the bulk of responsibility, but will be helped by the full-time return of wicketkeeper-batsman Marcus Hainsworth. Young quick Greg West and gloveman Beau McClintock are big losses, but there is excitement about the arrival of leg-spinning all-rounder Mark Jones from Sydney grade club Northern District. President Scott Thomas is confident off-season recruitment will assure Belmont's fourth-grade side does not forfeit matches like last season.
Prediction: 5th
CHARLESTOWN
Last season: 7th
Gains: None
Losses: Chris Connors (overseas travelling)
Captain: Steve Mace
Bottom line: For the second year running Charlestown are a stable ship. They have had a talented bunch of youngsters at the club for several years and this summer they need to begin cashing in on their potential. Teenage leg-spinner Ben Evans made a meteoric rise into the NSW Country Colts XI last season and is tipped to be a leading contender for Newcastle's first-choice tweaker role. Pace bowler Max Magann is another tipped to deliver with the ball. Senior batsmen Dane Macourt and Jed Dickson both scored more than 300 runs last season and they will need to reach 500 to turn Charlestown into a top-four force.
Prediction: 6th
STOCKTON-RAYMOND TERRACE
Last season: 9th
Gains: Joe Clarke, Daniel Flynn (Wallsend), Ian Redpath (Dubbo), Michael Ridgewell (Muswellbrook), Kerryn Ball (Kurri-Weston).
Losses: Darren Whittingham (not playing), Eddie Ballard, Todd Henderson (UK), Nick Fagan (Wests)
Captain: Nick Foster
Bottom line: A disappointing Seagulls side scored only 2118 runs last season, the lowest in the competition. Little wonder improving their batting stocks has been a directive over the winter. Former Sydney first-grader and Western Zone rep batsman Ian Redpath has come on board and ex-Brisbane first-grader Michael Ridgewell is another all-rounder option. Bowling may be an Achilles heel. Someone will need to replace the 40 wickets Todd Henderson took and NSW Country all-rounder Darren Whittingham will not return until Christmas, if at all.
Prediction: 7th
NEWCASTLE CITY
Last season: 8th
Gains: Greg West (Belmont), Luke Hunter (Illawarra), Nick Fagan (Stockton), Joe Clarke (North Sydney).
Losses: Mark Dries (not playing)
Captain: Jesse Major
Bottom line: Everything will hinge on whether Mark Dries returns. There is speculation the former player of the year will be back after a brief sojourn recharging his batteries on the golf course. If Dries returns City could qualify for the semi-finals. In the meantime 20-year-old batsman Jesse Major has stepped up to captain a City side containing 10 players under 21. It will be a family affair as younger brother Jonty Major will open the batting again and their father Gary Major will coach the team. Left-arm quick Greg West is an astute acquisition.
Prediction: 8th
WALLSEND
Last season: 4th, lost final
Gains: Josh Forsyth (Merewether), Jake Higginbotham (Northampton, UK)
Losses: David Celep (Merewether), Joe Curk (University), Aaron Wivell (Wests), Paul Coleman (Cardiff), Joe Clarke, Daniel Flynn (Stockton)
Captain: Brett Jackson
Bottom line: It has been a winter of turmoil in the Tigers den after their final loss to Merewether. Long-serving skipper David Celep quit after losing the captaincy to Brett Jackson and several other players exited. It will fall to Jackson to reunite the young Wallsend side who are brimming with talent, as well score the bulk of the runs with Curk and Celep gone. Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence student Cameron Roxby was superb in the final for the losing side and the teenage all-rounder should continue his rapid progression this summer. Roxby will need greater support with the ball this season as the Tigers took 120 wickets last season, only better than strugglers Stockton and Waratah.
Prediction: 9th
TORONTO
Last season: 10th
Gains: Ashley Weekes (Waratah), Brinn Osland (Cardiff), Michael Heinrich (Lisarow)
Losses: Jonte Pattison (Sydney University)
Captain: Joe Price
Bottom line: It will be another season of development for the Kookaburras, who boast one of the youngest rosters in the competition. Ex-Waratah skipper and all-rounder Ashley Weekes has been a coup for the club and his experience should help ease the pressure on Joe Price. Over the off-season the club went under a restructure to formally merge with Southern Lakes juniors, and it is hoped the fruits of that relationship will flow through the organisation in future seasons. However, the club's best junior, leg-spinner Jonte Pattison, has left the nest after receiving an offer from Sydney Uni. Toronto should improve, but they lack the depth to trouble the top half of the competition.
Prediction: 10th
CARDIFF-BOOLAROO
Last season: 12th
Gains: Paul Coleman (Wallsend), Jarrad Ninness (Queanbeyan), Hayden Callinan, Bayley McGill (Toronto)
Losses: Brinn Osland (Toronto)
Captain: Daniel Maher
Bottom line: Last summer was horrible for the 2009-10 champions, but there is likely to be some minor improvements this season. The return of veteran Paul Coleman and the acquisition of Jarrad Ninness will take pressure off leading quick Matthew Willett, who carried Cardiff last season. Batting is still a major concern. Captain Daniel Maher made only 197 runs at 14.07 last season and will need to rediscover his finest touch to keep the CBs off the bottom of the table.
Prediction: 11th
WARATAH-MAYFIELD
Gains: Miles Richardson (Kent, England)
Losses: Angus Bruce, Luke Penfold, Nathan Martin (not playing), Ashley Weekes (Toronto), Chad Penfold (overseas), Myles Cook (Singleton)
Captain: Josh Brackenbury
Bottom line: An exodus of senior players has left the club's already struggling first-grade side in tatters. Wicketkeeper Josh Brackenbury has been given the task of captaining the young side and he will need to mature fast as a cricketer. Englishman Miles Richardson enjoyed a successful season as a keeper at Toronto two years ago, but returns to Newcastle as a batting all-rounder. Tahs president Paul Burke said the search for players is ongoing. The recruitment campaign will need to uncover some gems to avoid the spoon.
Prediction: 12th