Mid North Coast chairman Gordon Cross said he fielded inquiries from Gloucester representatives at an inter-district over 35s match during the season.

“We haven’t had an official approach yet,’’ Mr Cross stressed.

“However, there appears to be some interest in Gloucester, going on the conversation I had.’’

Nine clubs from the Manning, Hastings and Macleay associations played in this season’s inaugural premier league. The grand final was to be played last weekend between Wingham and Macquarie Hotel at Port Macquarie, however, this was washed out, with Macquarie, the minor premiers, declared premiers.

Mr Cross said all nine clubs have indicated they will be back next season. He hasn’t spoken to the incumbent clubs about a side from Gloucester joining.

“We’ll wait and see what happens first,’’ he said.

While travel would be an issue, Mr Cross said matches between the Macleay clubs and Gloucester could be played in the Manning.

“We have five or six turf wickets here, so we can handle the extra games,’’ he said.

Gloucester is a member of the Mid North Coast Council although the association’s participation in inter-district matches has been limited to the over 35s in recent years. Gloucester was runner up to Manning in the 35s last season.

Mr Cross gives the first year of the premier league a pass mark, going on input he has received from players.

“I’ll base that on the comments I’ve received from players have nearly all be favourable,’’ he said.

“They’ve enjoyed the challenge of playing different teams on different grounds and not the same side every three weeks.

“We said at the start that there would probably be some hiccups in our first season. But everything has generally run smoothly.’’

To cut down travel Manning sides played the Macleay teams in venues around the Hastings this season. While this worked well, Mr Cross hopes the competition will be a genuine home and away next year. He said the feedback he has received from the Manning and Macleay clubs indicates this will be a real possibility.

He said another pleasing aspect of the season was the way the associations worked together.

“We all knew this had to happen for the betterment of cricket so instead of fighting each other, they worked to make it successful,’’ he explained.

Mr Cross has no doubt that starting the premier league was the salvation of first grade cricket on the Mid North Coast. He believes had this not happened in the Manning at least, the first and second grade competitions would have been forced to merge. Mr Cross is also secretary of the Manning association.

“I’ve heard the juniors are now even looking at the concept for the under 16s,’’ he said.

Mr Cross agrees that the Great Lakes would be an area that could eventually support a premier league club.

“The population is there, but they need a few more people involved to help run the club. They seem to be a bit frightened to make that extra step.’’