Defending champions Lansdowne will face Wairarapa College when matches in the Wairarapa Cricket Association's Umpires Cup limited-overs competition get under way on Saturday.
This game will be played on the No 1 artificial strip at Rathkeale College and while Lansdowne have lost some of last year's squad another strong showingis expected under the leadership of Choi Jackson.
Also clashing at Rathkeale College on the No 2 artificial wicket will be Red Star and Newbolds Marist Old Boys. Word is that Red Star could be depleted through work commitments but with rep players Joe Hull, Jared Watt and Sean Jarvis all likely to play they will provide a stern test for a Marist Old Boys side making a welcome return to senior competition play.
Kuranui Old Boys have Wairarapa selector-coach Sam Curtis on board for their debut at this level and their first appearance will be against Greytown on the Kuranui College artificial wicket.
With Curtis and the promising Darren Dingle calling the shots Kuranui Old Boys should fully test a Greytown side who will be looking for inspiration from Wairarapa opener Tim Lucas and bowlers Daniel Haxton and Nash Patel.
