Youngsters and veterans alike dusted off their pads to begin the season which kicked off on the weekend.

For many Juniors, the weekend marked their first foray into the sport.

Junior Cricket Association president Danny Yeadon said it was a perfect way to begin the season.

For the under-10s, their season kicked off with a new Super 8 format which aims to provide more involvement in a streamlined format.

“The Super 8s was great, I think the kids certainly enjoyed it,” Yeadon told the Post.

“The new scoring system is different but other than that and the boys getting guaranteed time out there and a new ball, it isn’t that much different.”

The Super 8 format is a short and sharp 16 over a side match, with guaranteed four overs for each batting pair with a modified plastic ball.

Previously graduates from Milo junior cricket were thrust into three hour long games, however Yeadon says, as proved on the weekend, matches have been cut by an hour.

“Everyone is still learning the new format so it should be even quicker as the season goes on,” he said.

HIBO OFF THE MARK

GOULBURN first grade cricket team Hibo-Tully started their season perfectly with a 14 run win over Wingello.

It was sweet revenge to the team that knocked Hibo out in last season’s semi-final playoff.

But things had gotten off to a shakey start for Hibo-Tully at Seiffert Oval on Saturday.

The side, who elected to bat first, went two wickets down for nothing after Wingello’s Rod Eirth struck early. Dane Stevenson and youngster Nick Skelly did well to get their side back on track with 11 runs a piece, but it was young gun Oliver Sharwood who really got the ball rolling.

He produced a classy 50 runs before being run out.

His 46 run partnership with vice captain Brad Smith got Hibo back into a comfortable position on what was a slow outfield.

Hibo finished with 129 runs. Wingello went to fire early with the bat but it was Hibo opening bowlers Mik Webber and partner in crime Brad Smith who did the damage.

Webber finished with 3/31. Smith finished with 4/10 including a three wicket over.

15-year-old young gun Sam Skelly bowled a commendable 0/16 across six overs.

For Wingello, Rod Eirth was again the standout with 30 not out.

Wingellow were bowled out 14 runs shy of victory on 114.

“Any win is a good win for the first game back for the season,” captain Mik Webber told the Post.

“I’m sure the fact they knocked us out in the finals was on the minds of some of the boys but we didn’t speak about it or try to think about it.”