The possibility of playing a mid-week twilight competition was raised at an association meeting held last month.

Association president Tony Weston said this is a way to provide cricket for the increasing number of players who have work commitments on the weekend.

The plan enjoyed great support with delegates.

However, association secretary Gordon Cross doesn’t believe it will be introduced this season.

“It was something we were looking at for the future,’’ Mr Cross said.

He assured plans won’t be shelved but thinks the association would need more time to put the necessary guidelines into place. Mr Cross said the association doesn’t want to rush into organising a limited over competition.

Manning Cricket’s new season will start on Saturday October 11.

While all clubs have nominated teams the association has given Old Bar until the next meeting on October 7 to field an A-grade side.

At this stage the club has locked in B and C-grade teams.

Old Bar won the A-grade premiership two seasons ago but lost players last summer when Taree Leagues reformed. All-rounder David Miller will be another absentee this year as he is playing with Sydney University. Old Bar didn’t make the semi-finals in A-grade last season.

There are plans to lay a turf wicket at Old Bar in the new sporting fields currently under construction.

Defending premiers Cundletown, Wingham, Taree West, Taree Leagues and Forster will be the combatants in A-grade.

Six teams will battle out B-grade with a healthy 10 in C-grade. Harrington hasn’t nominated for B-grade this season after making the semi-finals last year.

Despite their strong finish to the season it’s understood Harrington struggled for numbers for most of the competition.

Meanwhile restoring Manning as a powerhouse in representative cricket will be among the goals for the association this season.

Manning’s First XI bowed out in the opening round of the Country Cup last season after being quarter finalists in 2006/2007.

For the first time in many years Manning didn’t make the Mid North Coast First XI final. Tony Weston said the association will endeavour to approach the representative season in a more professional manner this year.

Mr Weston and former association president Merv Emerton will oversee the representative program.