HISTORY will be made when the Foss Evening Cricket League’s 2012 season finally gets under way tonight.

The admission of new sides Aviva Vikings and Askham Bryan and the re-entry of Bubwith, who resigned their membership in 2005, will see the three-division structure filled to capacity for the first time.

York are hot favourites to lift the division one championship, having only missed out in their debut season due to administrative points deductions. They will again be led by Yorkshire League opening batsman Duncan Snell when the season makes a belated start thanks to a washout on the intended opening day of May 2.

The other teams likely to be in the mix are title holders Stamford Bridge and ten-times winners Woodhouse Grange. Stamford Bridge claimed the title for the first time last summer and will not be looking to give it up in a hurry.

First-team skipper Matt Beckett and all-rounder Dom Rhodes will be looking to lead the side to further glory. Grange are still led by Andrew Bilton, who claimed the title in his first season in 2010 but saw his side drop back to third last year.

Westow, who boast star all-rounder Matty Turnbull, have reached the top flight for the first time after back-to-back promotions, while Osbaldwick took the division two title in their debut season.

Osbaldwick’s batting strength may help them with the Hattee brothers, Mike and Matty, hoping to build on prolific debut seasons.

With Sam Vale taking over as skipper, Pocklington will be looking to steer clear of the promoted sides in the relegation battle having just held off Londesborough Park in the battle against the drop in 2011.

Dunnington and Heworth will hope to be challenging at the top again having not won the league since 2006 and 2004 respectively.

Aviva Vikings and Bubwith, who have resigned from the York & District Senior League, join division two. Stockton & Hopgrove will be looking to make amends after missing out on back-to-back promotions by a single point, with Westow taking that honour in their place.

Bishopthorpe, The Retreat and Yapham all avoided relegation by a single point, but only Yapham have made changes to leadership, with young batsman Jack Holman taking charge.

Relegated Melbourne, under new skipper Harry Collins, will be aiming to escape division three at the first attempt.

The Retreat second team, under new leadership in the form of Mike Taylor, will just hope to chalk up more than the one victory they managed in a tough 2011.