THE WHITES are out and cricketers across Armidale are keeping a watchful eye on the skies ahead of tomorrow’s opening round of the 2008/2009 Armidale District Cricket Association season.

Four teams will contest the first grade premiership - defending champions Easts, last year’s runners-up Hillgrove, Ex-Services and potential dark horses Armidale City.

The City club is a new venture this season, formerly known as Churches.

With a few new batsmen in the ranks bolstering their already strong bowling attack they could be a real threat to the perennial dominance of Easts and Hillgrove.

The friendly rivalry between last year’s grand finalists has already begun, with players from both sides contesting the Prima six-a-side a fortnight ago.

Easts will be down three players this weekend due to a wedding.

Eight sides are in the running in second grade, with Centrals, TAS, YCW and Guyra competing as well as the four clubs in first grade.

There will be a bye each round in third grade, with Easts, Hillgrove, YCW, City and Guyra all putting their hands up, while Easts, Hillgrove, Ex-Services, TAS, Uralla and YCW will fight it out for the fourth grade title.

As with last season, all grades except for fourth grade will play two-day matches.

The fourth grade competition is entirely one-day games.

Tomorrow’s top-grade action sees City do battle with Hillgrove at Harris Park, while Easts take on Ex-Services at Lambert Park.

In second grade Centrals face Hillgrove at Rologas 1, Easts clash with TAS at TAS Oval, City and Guyra will lock horns at the Guyra turf and Ex-Services will face off against YCW at Moran Oval.

Easts have the first two weeks off in third grade, with YCW and Hillgrove taking to Elizabeth Park and City taking on Guyra at Newling 1.

In fourth grade Easts and Hillgrove do battle at Newling 2, Ex-Services face the schoolboys at TAS Wakefield and Uralla travel to YCW.