The Maitland and District Cricket Association board met on October 3 and decided to adopt an 11-team competition with two divisions of finals.

But that was reduced to 10 teams when 2016-17 A-grade grand finalists Windsor Castle pulled out of the proposed competition on October 11. 

Windsor Castle instead opted to field a team in the Newcatle City and Suburban A-grade comp.

The proposed Twenty20 competition in the top two grades will be cancelled to allow for the expansion of games to be played.

For the Port Stephens Pythons cricket club, this will mean its A- and B-grade teams – both the minor and major premiers of 2016 – face off against each other at some point this season.

It could also spell an all Port Stephens final this season.

MDCA media spokesman Mark Warland said the association had been left with an unviable A-grade competition when Hinton and Chelmsford Hotel had withdrawn in the week leading into the opening round leaving just three teams.

“At the end of the season, the top four sides will play in A grade finals, then the next four will play in B-grade finals,” he said.

“A new set of rules/playing conditions will be drawn up knowing that some clubs have already purchased balls and have not catered in their fee structure for the use of umpires.

“The viability of this new competition will be monitored during the season.

“To complete a full draw under a 10-team comp we are going to have to do away with T20s just in this grade and just for this season only.”

Also read: Pythons prepared for new cricket season