University-Grange is striving to make a return to the senior grade four years after the club dropped out of the competition.
There is still plenty of work ahead for the club but there is a willingness to put in the hard yards, club president Matiu Workman said.
''Our intention is to bring our senior team back,'' he said.
''We still have to go through the proper channels but that is definitely the direction that we want to take this season.''
Workman felt the club was in a good position to re-enter the grade but was aware there would be challenges ahead.
''We have guys ready who we think can or have the potential to play in the senior grade. It is just about supplementing them with other guys and maybe approaching a few around who would like the opportunity they feel they deserve or want.
''We have a few ideas in place it is just a matter of making sure we get the green light from the DCA [Dunedin Cricket Association].''
University-Grange first ran into trouble five years ago when it was unable to play a full part in the club season.
University holidays had made getting a team together a challenge at times, and the following year the DCA voted 5-2 to exclude University-Grange on the basis the club was still not in a position to take a full part in the season.
DCA chairman George Morris could not be reached for comment but Workman said he planned to discuss the idea more with the DCA soon.
''There is still a lot of water to go under the bridge in terms of actually bringing the team back.
''But, from a club point of view, we are definitely planning as if we are going to have a senior team this season.''
The club has survived during its absence from the top grade and last season fielded two teams in the lower grades.
But Workman described it as a ''real slog'' and he felt was vital for the club's survival.
''We called a special meeting in October and decided we can't go on like this for too much longer. The club is on its last legs so to speak.''
Seven people came forward to join a special committee to look at ways of getting University-Grange back in the senior grade and to update the club's constitution.
The University and Grange clubs merged in 1986-87 and enjoyed immediate success, winning the senior banner that summer. The combined club's only other title came in 2003-04.
Grange had a long history. It formed in 1880 and went on to win or share in 23 senior titles.
University had a long history as well and won three consecutive titles in 1968-1970.
While University-Grange's demise was unfortunate, it solved an awkward problem for organisers.
When there were seven senior clubs the DCA was always looking for a way to avoid a bye round.
It came up with several solutions, including the short-lived Pelichet Bay team.
Otago Country replaced Pelichet Bay in 2010-11. It used the first round to prepare for the Hawke Cup.
Otago Boys' High School joined the competition in 2013-14 to fill the gap as well.
University-Grange's re-entry would probably open the way for Otago Boys' to compete in the club competition again.
