Northern Riverina Cricket Council’s representative competition will see Cootamundra, Gundagai, Young, Temora, Wagga and Yass compete for the historic shield which dates back to the 1950s.   

Young is making the move back to Stribley because of structural changes to the Lachlan Cricket Council’s competition that could have seen the Young representative side play only two matches all season. 

The move has secretary of the Young and District Cricket Association Kelly Meddings excited. 

“The decision to move was made after the Lachlan Council meeting,” Meddings said.

“We’ve got a squad of 22 boys who are keen to play so we had a meeting with them and they voted unanimously to request to return to the Stribley.”

For Young, the move is an easy one but Meddings feels for other associations in the Lachlan region who don’t have any other options. 

“We’re lucky that we’re geographically in a position to move. 

“Associations in Condobolin, Parkes and Forbes are stuck with the Lachlan changes,” she said.

It’s now been over 35 years since Young took part in the Stribley and the association is looking for a strong return, keen to add to the their tally of shield wins.  

Young has won the Stribley three times, most recently in the 1975/76 season.

Meddings is keen to take the shield home to Young a fourth time. 

“The boys are keen to get their name up there and to be competitive,” she said. 

As the season approaches, a preliminary Stribley Shield draw has been released. 

At this stage, round one is scheduled for October 30 and will see Cootamundra take on Gundagai at Albert Park, Wagga take on Yass in Wagga and Young face Temora in Young. 

The competition will have five rounds followed by a grand final set for February 19.