THE ECB Hunters Yorkshire Premier League North, one of four such leagues across Yorkshire head a new pyramid structure which aims to have the best cricketers playing in the best leagues with the best facilities.

Dan Woods the returning captain of York can’t wait to lead his side out tomorrow at Clifton Park against Dunnington.

“We are really looking forward to it, we have been training hard all winter and as it gets closer you can hardly wait,” explained Woods who spent five very successful seasons at York taking 475 wickets in all competitions.

In 2015 Woods played for Hyde in the Cheshire League and also played Minor Counties League cricket for Cheshire.

“It’s good to be back at York, I live and work in the area and it makes sense to play more locally.”

He added: “Everyone is really excited about the new season, playing in a different league against new teams, I just want to make sure we enjoy the whole experience.”

Also back on the York roster is batsman Duncan Snell who has spent the last two seasons at Bradford League club Woodlands. When he was last at York he amassed over 10,500 runs, including 24 centuries.

Other signings include batsman Joe Ashdown from Clifton Alliance who is set to open with Snell. Matty Turnbull arrives from Easingwold and is an opening bowler and middle order batsman.

Woods added: “Yorkshire junior coach Jimmy Love is also helping us bring on younger players at the club and we have high hopes for wicketkeeper/batsmen Finlay Bean”

Dunnington are York’s opponents tomorrow and are proud to be founder members of the Yorkshire Premier League.

It is a massive achievement for the club, who will be captained again by Jack Bolam.

A disastrous start to their York Senior League campaign last season saw them at the bottom of the table after six games.

“It was a Herculean effort to get ourselves back into contention and we managed to scrape in at the end of the day,” recalls club secretary Gary Andrew.

“The players are looking forward to stepping up to the challenge of the new league.”

He said they have been netting indoors since January at Fulford School and have clocked up plenty of time in the outdoor nets as the weather has improved.

Most of the players who helped secure promotion return. Collis King, an old friend of the club recommended talented West Indian Kadeem Edwards, a 20 year-old seam bowling all rounder. They also welcome Mubtada Akhtar from Pudsey Congs in the Bradford League. After injury curtailed his career as a pace bowler he has applied the same aggression to his batting and is likely to open for Dunnington.

National Village champions Woodhouse Grange are determined to make their mark.

Andrew Bilton takes over as captain from Steve Burdett who hasstood down after 11 very successful seasons in the role.

Richard Walton has joined the Sutton-on-Derwent side from Heworth while Pete Edmonson is a new recruit from Rowntrees and Huntingdon. George Saville, an all rounder, joins from Hartshead Moor in the Bradford League.

Also ready for the start of the new season are refurbished changing rooms and clubhouse facilities.

Woodhouse start their league campaign at Harrogate.

Stamford Bridge captain Matt Beckett is excited about the prospect of new places, new people and especially the new challenge that comes with the new league.

“Going forward it will be a challenge for the York League clubs but it is a fantastic opportunity to play the highest standard of cricket.

“Yorkshire Cricket is the best and strongest it has been for years and it is something we can aspire to - being the best at your level.”

To help the cause Stamford Bridge have recruited an old friend, Jamaican Donovan Sinclair, who was last with the club in 2009.

“He is a batsman who can also give you a few overs of leg spin bowling. As soon as we heard teams can have an overseas player in the new league we got in touch with him. He is also great with the younger players.”

The promotion-winning squad has also been keen stay with the club. Will Rhodes will also turn out for his home club when his Yorkshire commitments allow.

Stamford Bridge start their new adventure with a trip to Hull.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge, last season’s Hunter’s York League senior champions’ first fixture is already causing fireworks.

They entertain Yorkshire Academy tomorrow which pits brothers, Adam and Matthew Fisher against each other.

Adam, is the Sheriff Hutton Bridge captain and was the club’s leading run scorer he will come up against younger brother Matthew who will be spearheading the bowling attack for the Yorkshire Academy side after recovering from injury in time to face his home club.

According to club secretary Danny Kiernan the ‘brotherly rivalries’ have already surfaced. Sheriff’s new signing is Yorkshire’s Karl Carver, 20, a left handed batsman and slow left arm bowler who impressed on their recent trip to Dubai.

The squad is further bolstered by the arrival of young quick bowler Freddie Collins who has invaluable experience of Yorkshire League cricket with Castleford.

“The whole club is still buzzing from the title win last season it has made a big difference to everyone, the players, the juniors the officials even the tea ladies, there is a confidence there they are walking taller,” explained Kiernan.

“We are making a big statement joining the new league we want to play against the top teams and we want to beat them,

“We have a young team and Adam is keen they learn together he is not the sort of captain who would let the boys be in awe of our opponents.”

Acomb entertain Castleford and will once again be led by Andy Tute.

For the challenge ahead they have recruited batsman Joe Schofield from Sheriff Hutton and Jonny Rawsthorne a handy batsman and bowler from Osbaldwick.