Here's some more info from the A&EHCA website about Mt Barker and Bremer/Callington returning to A Grade:
MT BARKER AND BREMER/CALLINGTON FLAG A GRADE RETURN
The Mount Barker and Bremer/Callington Cricket Clubs have announced their return to the Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association A Grade competition in 2018/2019.
The two clubs last fielded teams in the premier grade in 2011/2012 when the A&EHCA A Grade competition featured a record 11 clubs.
During that season, Mount Barker failed to win a match and Bremer/Callington finished the season in ninth place.
Since then, both clubs have been steadily rebuilding and are now ready to compete at the top level once again.
Bremer/Callington are coming off a successful 2017/2018 that saw them finish minor premiers before going on to defeat Nairne in the A2 Grade grand final.
The Cobras boast a side packed full of young homegrown talent including two sets of brothers who have been performing particularly well over the past few seasons.
The Leigh brothers (Stewart and Xavier) and the Fitzgerald brothers (Nathan, Johnny and Brandon) are all Callington locals who have been central to the club’s recent success.
Bremer/Callington are yet to win an A&EHCA A Grade premiership since the association was formed in 1983/1984 with their last taste of success back in 1969/1970 when they took out the A Grade premiership of the Mount Barker and Eastern Hills Cricket Association.
Mount Barker narrowly missed out on playing finals in the A2 Grade competition last year but showed signs that they are a club on the rise.
The Kookaburras have a proud history and have enjoyed plenty of success over the years, however their last A Grade premiership was 25 years ago.
Talented young Mount Barker locals such as Rhys Paterson, Jackson Lane and Deklan Porter have proved more than capable at A2 level and will further benefit from competing against the A&EHCA’s top players.
A&EHCA President Joe Hill has applauded both clubs for making the big step up.
“It’s fantastic to see both clubs so committed to developing their youngsters over the past few years,” Joe said.
“They’ve invested a lot of time and effort and now it’s beginning to pay dividends.
“It’s healthy for our association to have as many clubs as possible striving to compete at A Grade level so we congratulate Mount Barker and Bremer/Callington for taking the step up.”
The Ashbourne Cricket Club has indicated that it won’t be fielding an A Grade team in 2018/2019 which would see nine clubs competing at the top tier.