The Lions were knocking on the door of the top four last year, finishing a game outside. But the retirement of Cape will leave a glaring hole in both the batting and bowling departments.

Cape played eight first grade matches in 2017-18, taking 18 wickets with one of the best averages in the competition – 11.9. While with the bat he provided a solid average of 21.4, capable of stabilising the innings down the order.

Darley captain Michael Alexander said it was clearly going to be a big loss, but on the flip side it will provide a youngster an opportunity to step-up and fill the void.

“He was a bit unsure at the end of last year whether he’d go around again, but he’s got a heap of commitments and felt like that was enough for him,” Alexander said.

“It is a big loss, but you can’t do much about it, he’s given an enormous amount for the club. It provides another opportunity for a youngster, we’ve got a good crop coming through.”

The only other movement surrounding the first grade side is that of its imports. Last season’s import Annaruddha Rajapashka has finished his duties with the club, the Lions now awaiting two more imports to bolster the side.

West Indian Danza Hyatt and Sri Lankan Hasitha Wickramadinghe have been recruited by the Lions, but their arrival date is still unclear.

Hyatt in particular could prove damaging, he has played nine one-day internationals and five twenty20 matches for the West Indies – underlining the big-hitters credentials.

In Saturday’s BCA season-opener, Darley will take on last year’s grand finalist Mt Clear.

Mt Clear has enjoyed a stellar off-season of recruiting, one of the most active clubs over the winter.

The Mounties have brought in five key names to the first XI. Jake Smith (Highton), Brendan Moyle (Echuca), Jarrod Burns (VRI Delacombe), Les Sandwith (returning), Hayden Cartledge (returning) and Paul Jeffrey (returning) will all play important roles in trying to take Mt Clear one step further this season.

Smith in particular has been lighting it up in the nets while Burns steps up to the first grade after notching up 915 runs at an average of more than 100 for VRI Delacombe.

However, it has lost EJ Cleary medalist Steve Nicholson, who is off to Druids Cricket Club.

MEANWHILE, it is a landmark weekend for Buninyong, which will make its first grade debut.

The Bunnies will face Napoleons-Sebastopol, in a round one match-up that has plenty of unknown surrounding it.

Buninyong has a new-look side with six recruits set to take the field, how they all jell together will be intriguing.

“It’s a pretty unique situation,” Coach Liam Brady said.

“Playing in the main BCA competition, a lot of us have already played first grade cricket, but from a club point of view it’s really exciting.”

One thing that looks certain to cause opposition teams headaches is the pace bowling attack of Liam Rigby, Matt Ringin and Matthew Worsnop.

Rigby and the Ringin brothers will face their old club on Saturday. Naps-Sebas set to bring an unknown quantity to the game, given such a high turnover of players.

New skipper Dan Scott said spots in the first XI were “up for grabs”.

LIKE Buninyong and Mt Clear, East Ballarat has been extremely active over the off-season and we will see all of its recruits on display this weekend against reigning premier Golden Point.

The Hawks will have five new faces to the first XI, while coach Tristan Dixon, who played four games last season, is fully fit and will be like a new recruit.

“All the pre-season work has been about getting them to do what me and Dicko are wanting from them...we recruited them for a certain role, I’m pretty confident it will all work,” Captain Josh Brown said.

“You give them the roles, but otherwise it’s just about enjoying each others company.”

FINALLY one of Brown Hill and Ballarat-Redan will get a chance to get their seasons off to winning starts. Both teams are once again going to be very young, winning zero and three games respectively last season. A first-up win will be a great confidence boost for their youth.