Tamworth first-grade cricket has lost another club, with the news Souths will not have a side in the premier competition this season.

The blow comes after West Tamworth again failed to field a first-grade team - the fourth consecutive season that has happened.

Souths' demise means it will now be a five-team competition featuring Norths, City United, Bective East, Old Boys and Gunnedah. There will be a bye each round, with the competition getting underway this weekend.

Chris Skilton , a veteran Souths player and the club's vice-president, said withdrawing from first grade was a "very tough" decision and one that was reached after "a good amount of effort" to stay afloat.

"But with our players that we've lost over the last couple of years, it's very difficult," he said. "Without the gen

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