WITH bad weather predicted, most Yarra Valley Cricket Association players packed the playing cards, darts and snorkels in anticipation of a quiet day on Saturday.
A clear morning gave them hope, with plenty of games getting a start.
Unfortunately, the weather closed in, and those who got a start finished abruptly and never returned to the field.
Season 2012-13, looks set to be an exciting one in the YVCA's premier grade, DJ Strachan Shield.
As with the previous season, most clubs enter the season with bright prospects of playing finals.
Coldstream enters the season as reigning premier and has bolstered its line-up with players who have played down the line, so it looks to be an early front-runner.
Seville, last year's runner-up, with its powerful bowling line-up and explosive batting will be looking for redemption when action finally arrives.
Perennial finalists Mt Evelyn and Warburton-Millgrove have been quiet on the recruitment front, but both teams boast consistent match-winners and will always be a threat.
Yarra Junction and Healesville, proud and strong clubs, have missed the finals in recent years, but with their depth of talented juniors will be looking to take the next step in 2012-13 and challenge the top teams.
Woori Yallock and Hoddles Creek round out the teams competing for the ultimate prize.
Both teams produced a surprise or two in 2011-12, but were cursed by inconsistency.
Fix that and the Tigers and Wombats will be around the mark.
In a first for the YVCA, a women's team has been formed to compete for the Yarra Valley.
Women's and girl's cricket has been increasing in the valley and the outer east.
Last season the girls were involved in a successful outer east girls' challenge tournament held at South Croydon.
On Saturday, the Yarra Valley Stars played their first game against Frankston.
The experienced Frankston side was too strong for the Valley Girls, and won by eight wickets.
Over the coming weeks the YVCA in conjunction with Cricket Victoria will be running clinics in the local primary schools focused on recruiting junior cricketers, particularly girls.
The juniors will kick off their season this Saturday morning.
After weeks of preparation the kids have been itching to get a game and with three Twenty20 games to kick off the season, the young players get their chance to sink their teeth into the game's latest trend.
Although many of the clubs had enough players to get games started, some are still short.
So if you are interested in playing cricket, go to the association's website, yarravalley.cricketvictoria.com.au, and find the club contact under "Clubs" on the home page.