THE Seymour District Cricket Association (SDCA) has released its 2026/27 senior fixture, with grand final rematches in both grades headlining the opening round on Saturday, October 10.
Seymour and Tallarook will renew their rivalry in a rematch of last season’s A-grade grand final, while Alexandra and Pyalong will meet again following their clash in the B-grade decider.
The opening round will also be the first of four T20 double-header rounds scheduled throughout the season, bringing A and B-grade teams together at the same venue for a full day of senior cricket.
The first two rounds of the season will be played as T20 double-headers, with another scheduled immediately before the Christmas break and the fourth to welcome players back after Christmas.
B-grade matches will open each double-header before A-grade takes centre stage later in the afternoon, giving clubs an opportunity to bring their senior teams and supporters together at the one venue.
Outside the four T20 rounds, the fixture has been structured so A and B-grade teams are generally drawn at opposite venues, helping spread senior cricket across grounds and balance home and away commitments.
Seven clubs will contest A-grade in 2026/27 – Alexandra, Avenel, Puckapunyal, Pyalong, Seymour, Tallarook and Yea – while B-grade will feature those clubs alongside the Seymour 59ers.
The senior home-and-away season will run across 18 rounds, beginning on Saturday, October 10 and concluding on Saturday, March 6, 2027 before the SDCA finals series.
SDCA President Mitch Itter said the fixture provided an exciting start to the new season.
“Having both grand final rematches in the opening round gives us a fantastic way to start the season and immediately renew two of the biggest contests from last summer,” he said.
“The T20 double-headers are also a real feature of the fixture. Having both senior grades together gives clubs the opportunity to create a bigger day at the cricket and build a great atmosphere around their grounds.
“We’ve worked hard to produce a fixture that balances the different requirements of A and B-grade while giving players, clubs and supporters plenty to look forward to across the season.”
The league has also locked in its leadership team for the 2026-27 representative campaign – with Lachlan Watts and Cameron Armstrong returning as captain and head coach.
The pair will again lead the SDCA against the Emu Valley Cricket Association (EVCA), with a return fixture confirmed for Sunday, February 21, 2027 in Bendigo.
Watts and Armstrong combined to lead the SDCA to victory in its return to senior representative cricket earlier this year, defeating Emu Valley by 56 runs in the inaugural McIvor Challenge at Chittick Park.
Watts produced a remarkable individual performance in the victory, falling just short of a century with 99 before taking 4/40 from nine overs and two catches.
The Tallarook all-rounder went on to earn selection in the 2025–26 Victorian Country Cricket League Men’s Team of the Year after scoring 620 runs at an average of 88.57 and taking 12 wickets at 16.50 during the season.
Armstrong will again take charge as head coach after overseeing the SDCA’s successful return to representative cricket last season.
The experienced Yea cricketer also enjoyed an outstanding season on the field, winning the SDCA A-grade batting award with 294 runs at an average of 98.
Itter said retaining Watts and Armstrong provided continuity as the Association looks to build on last season’s representative success.
“Lachlan and Cam were outstanding in leading the group last season, so we’re thrilled to have them both back for another representative campaign,” Itter said.
“They are two of the most respected figures in our competition and both have a genuine passion for representative cricket and seeing the best players in our association come together.
“Lachlan led from the front in every sense last year. His performance against Emu Valley was exceptional, and his subsequent selection in the VCCL Team of the Year reinforced the calibre of player we have captaining our Association.
“Cam brings an enormous amount of experience and cricket knowledge to the coaching role and did a fantastic job bringing the group together last season.
“Having both of them return gives us some important continuity as we look to build on what we started last year.”
The February clash will see the SDCA travel to Bendigo after hosting the inaugural fixture at Chittick Park, continuing the developing representative rivalry between the two associations.
“It was fantastic to bring senior representative cricket back last season, but we don’t want it to be a one-off,” Itter said.
“Getting the return fixture locked in is another important step towards making representative cricket an ongoing part of the SDCA calendar.
“We’re looking forward to heading to Bendigo in February and giving our players another opportunity to represent the SDCA.”
