The first challenge of the new season was set to be played at Nixon Park on Sunday but the small association failed to get a team organised in time.

Temora were set to be under strength themselves with Nick Grant, Max Harper and Kurt Robertson all part of the Wagga Sloggers team to play in the Regional Bash finals at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

They also forfeited a Stribley Shield match to Wagga a fortnight ago but captain Luke Gerhard was confident they would have had a quality side available.

He wasn’t too concerned by receiving the forfeit.

“She is an easy win first up,” Gerhard said.

“We would have had about five out so it is an easy win for us.”

Ardlethan/Barellan were bowled out for 51 when Temora claimed a nine-wicket win in February and Gerhard wasn’t expecting too much opposition.

“They wouldn’t have had much of a team going on what they had last year,” he said

Cootamundra have the next challenge on December 17.

Gerhard expects the team will be full strength for that clash and very similar to last season’s.

“We should be pretty much exactly the same as last year,” he said.

“Maybe a couple of young fellas could be thrown in the mix at some stage but apart from that we will be pretty well the same.”

Sixteen-year-old Josh Mcgregor is one Gerhard believes can step up at representative level.

Griffith will play the winner of Temora and Cootamundra after the Christmas break.