While the Premiership and Championship sides got underway on Saturday, the true season opening - where all Saints teams are playing at the same time - takes place this Saturday.
To maintain the tradition we've upheld for over a century, a small formal official Season Opening ceremony will be held after play at our Hagley Oval pavilion. The lounge will be open from 6.30pm onwards and the Bledisloe Cup test will be live on the big screen, with kickoff at 7.10pm. We'll organise the ceremonial duties around this so the game can be watched uninterrupted.
Six Saints teams are playing their first games on Saturday:
- The BBBBs - now into their 39th season as a unit - are playing 40-over white-ball cricket in the Masters grade, looking to add to their 3 titles (along with numerous wins in other grades) in what is their 15th campaign in the over-35s competition.
- The Fozzies - last year's Cavaliers T20 minor championship winners - again find themselves in the top section (Red) in what is their 10th season in the blue-and-gold.
- The Chin Swingers - into their 14th season - too are in the Red section and face the Fozzies in a Saints derby first up, currently holding the best record of any side against them (7 wins from 9 games).
- The Jaguars - a new yet familiar name - are effectively our 3rd XI but playing short-format only (also in the Red section), following the Superkings departure and Buccaneers withdrawal from Division 2.
- The 67ers - last season's Black section champions - are back for a 2nd stint and looking to go back-to-back in the same competition.
- The Scorpions - in their 3rd season - are an ever-improving side, going from 3 wins in their maiden campaign to 7 last year and they too face derby opposition on the opening day in the form of the 67ers.
Good luck to all sides and see you back at the pavilion after play.
