Well we have successfully navigated the first month of the new season - so how's it looking at the moment given the new formats?
Grade 1 looks a tight battle. Lots of hype around Eastern Park & Salisbury West, but Virginia, Angle Vale and Dublin all appear to have claims. Only Central United look off the pace - but any side with Woody in it is unpredictable and can cause some damage.
Grade 2 looks a little more split - the top 4 appears far too strong for the bottom 2, North Pines sadly look destined for a long year, can't see the ladder changing much from what it is. Craigmore / Eyre Royals my pick for the GF early doors.
Grade 3 stuff all separates the top 5 sides already. OTH with an outright sitting well, and Eyre Royals the beneficiary of a forfeit received holding them in good stead. Dublin at the foot of the ladder but largely due to not fielding a side in Round 1. If they held chances last round, they beat Enfield - will claim scalps in the 1 day stuff pending player availability. Pretty balanced comp.
Grade 4 Salisbury West and Eastern Park undefeated, Angle Vale won outright over Enfield who beat Craigmore in Round 1. NEK winless so far and struggling to score runs, potentially the only side that looks like it may struggle to reach the top 4 - rest is a hard pick.
Grade 5 Bates with an unbeaten 200, Lubcke amongst the runs and competition mostly of C grade sides - it looks North Pines to lose, followed by Salisbury West. Craigmore and Virginia are only a game out of the 4 though, so the last two spots will be hard to decide, and could go down to the last round.
LO1 Pirates & Para Vista GF.
LO2 Better looking comp, the top 5 sides all look very good on their day - hard to see a clear standout.
LO3 Para Vista the only undefeated side, but every side has a win so far, and only 1 win between 3rd and 6th.
LO4 As above, except change Para Vista to North Pines.
LO5 Enfield undefeated, North Pines battling, top 4 looks set already. Athelstone when they settle back their side later in the year will be the side to beat.
LO6 Probably the tightest div - a draw, and 4/5 sides are sitting on 2 wins from 4 matches. Eyre Royals being their 5th XI may find the going tough as the year goes on, so you'd have to think they'll miss.