VALE cricket sides begin their Worcestershire League campaign on Saturday.

The area’s only Division One club, Pershore, host Worcester Nomads (1pm) in a clash of the early favourites, who finished second and third respectively last season.

Captain Chris Ridings said: “We have picked up a few from local clubs, who want to experience a higher level of cricket, but we have got the same core of players who have been at the club since juniors.

“We find the local talent is as good as we get abroad. Each year, we get very close and this year hopefully we can go that one step further and win the league, but we are just going to enjoy ourselves.”

Evesham hope to stop their series of relegations and entertain Cookley in Division Two, while promoted Bredon visit Malvern.

Harvington head to Hanley Castle and Upton in Division Four after being relegated from the top-flight due to their inability to field three teams.