That’s the opinion of Mid North Coast Cricket Council chairman Gordon Cross.

As reported exclusively in Fairfax Media on Friday March 23, Mr Cross said there had been interest from Gloucester in nominating for the nine team premier league. Mr Cross stressed this was unofficial and he hasn’t heard anything since from the Gloucester cricket club.

The premier league currently includes teams from the Manning to Macleay.

“There’s a couple of promising players over there (in Gloucester) including Harry Clarke and I think people were looking at providing a stronger competition for them to play,’’ Mr Cross said.

Six sides – Wingham, United, Old Bar, Great Lakes, Hallidays Point and Taree West played the Manning second grade last season, with Wingham the eventual winners.

However, Mr Cross believes Gloucester should, at least in the short term, consider the Manning second grade as a more feasible option if officials are looking for a strong competition to be involved.

“That could provide with with a pathway to the premier league,’’ he said.

“It would be a big step up in standard to go straight from their local competition into the premier league.’’ 

He pointed out that Manning third grade clubs travel to Bulahdelah, so going to Gloucester shouldn’t be an issue. A further incentive is that Gloucester has two top class turf wickets.

Clubs have until the Mid North Coast annual meeting in June to nominate for next season’s premier league.

Mr Cross said previously he hasn’t discussed the possibility of Gloucester playing in the premier league with the nine incumbent clubs. All are expected to nominate for next season’s competition, to start in October.

Team nominations for the 2018/19 premier league will be taken at the Mid North Coast Cricket Council’s annual meeting in June. Manning Cricket’s annual meeting is also in June.

A draft draw for the new season will also be presented to the annual meeting. Mr Cross will again stand for the chairman’s position.