THE creation of the ECB Yorkshire Premier League North will have ripple effects on the partner leagues such as the Hunters York and District Senior League.

They have lost last season’s most successful clubs but it will only create opportunities for the remaining teams.

In the Premier Division, Clifton Alliance entertain Easingwold in the opening fixture of the season. They will be without their prolific batsman from last year Joe Ashdown who has joined York.

The rest of last year’s squad has been retained and will be looking to make their mark in the division.

Their opponents Easingwold will also be up for a challenge. They have added Tom Copeland to their squad who joins from York. Matthew Turnbull has left the club to join York.

Bolton Percy, who will again be captained by Danny White, will be opening up at home to York Seconds.

That they start at all is testament to the hard work the club has put in since the field was under four metres of water in December.

Sessay were impressive while winning promotion last season and have added Tom Wilkinson who has had Yorkshire League experience with Hull to their squad.

They will be hoping for strong performances from batsman Matt Wilkie and bowler Liam Carver. Sessay open with a trip to Goole Town.

Pickering, who were also promoted last time, open their campaign with a trip to Heworth.

They have some useful batsmen in Grant Haider and Damon Jenkinson who will be looking to test themselves at a higher level.

Heworth have brought in new recruits including former Windhill captain Paul Mosey and Pearce Lindley from Kirk Deighton.

Pocklington will be launching their York and District Senior Cricket League Division One campaign at Burnby Lane against Selby.

They continue to be led by Charlie Lambert and the squad has been bolstered by the arrivals of two recruits from Hemingbrough Jonathan Lister and Paul van Dijk along with Harry Collins (York Vale) Shawn Wilson (Welton and Brough).

It promises to be an exciting season for Pocklington as they make plans for a new clubhouse.

Malton and Old Malton start their Division One season at Sewerby. They have had a busy April making three signings including Neil Johnson from Heworth and two players from Scarborough Beckett League clubs, Tom Wilson from Brompton and Ben Holtby from Great Habton.

Osbaldwick’s pre-season warm up against Pocklington was scuppered by the weather so they will be raring to go at Beverley Town seconds.

They have signed James Aveyard from Rowntrees and Huntington, Louis Morton from Tong Park in the Aire-Wharfe League and Jonathan Robley from Lanercost in the Eden Valley League.