Moama ended a run of four straight Echuca titles when it claimed the McMahon Shield earlier this year.
Moama is the team to beat in men’s and women’s cricket as the two sides prepare their respective title defences for the new Goulburn Murray Cricket season.
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Several grades already have their draws out, including the John McMahon A-grade Shield, renamed the McMahon First XI, with the first action to be held on Saturday, October 10.
The Mowers recovered from a shaky 7-94 to post 190 and win the grand final by 60 runs over Bamawm-Lockington United.
Moama begins its title defence away from home at Windridge Oval, against last year’s fifth placed side, Rochester, which will be looking to return to the heights that saw it reach the 2024-25 grand final.
Elsewhere in round one, last season’s runner-up, BLU, takes on Echuca at home at Bamawm Recreation Reserve.
Echuca South will host Tongala, and Nondies-Cohuna will visit Leitchville-Gunbower in the remaining contests, while Kyabram Fire Brigade sits out week one with the bye.
The same nine teams in the top grade will see each side battle each other home and away, along with two byes over 18 rounds.
The Christmas break will follow the December 19 round, before action resumes on January 9, and the regular season will conclude on February 20.
The top four will advance to the semi-finals on February 27, the winners to fight for the shield on March 6.
The schedule for the First XI T20 challenge has also been revealed, with eight of nine (excluding Tongala) top grade clubs again participating.
Round one will be held on Thursday afternoons, beginning on November 12, with the grand final earmarked for February 4.
BLU is the two-time reigning champion, the Lions downing Kyabram Fire Brigade in the final earlier this year.
Moama was awarded the GMCW premiership after the grand final against Echuca was washed out before the second innings. Photo: Lauren Davy.
The women’s competition, GMCW, is set to begin on October 18, with Moama also the defending champion.
Last season’s blockbuster local grand final between Moama and Echuca was unfortunately washed out before a result was reached, the Mowers posting 7-156 but Echuca unable to begin its chase.
As the minor premier, Moama was awarded the championship.
The competition has been bolstered to eight teams this year with the return of Nagambie from the breakaway Cricket Shepparton competition after just one season.
Cricket Shepparton-affiliated clubs Shepparton Youth Club United, Kyabram, Nagambie and Mooroopna departed the combined, GMC-run, league last year to form their own competition, with the Lakers now back in the GMC.
Along with Moama, Echuca and Nagambie, other participating clubs are Bamawm-Lockington United, Rochester, Cooma, Nathalia and Katamatite.
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