OVINGTON and Bishopthorpe are expected to battle it out for the HPH York Vale Cricket League title this summer.

Both clubs have seen a major obstacle to their ambitions removed with North Cave, champions for the last two seasons, joining the York and District Senior League.

Bishopthorpe, runners-up last season, have been in the top three for the last five years but the title has eluded them since 2005.

Ovington have made great progress since promotion to the top flight in 2011 and won the division one crown three years ago.

After one of the wettest winters on record, groundsmen have been pulling out all the stops to get wickets prepared for tomorrow's start for division one and two sides. Divisions three and four don't start their campaigns until Saturday, May 7.

Ovington begin with a home game against Burn, while Bishopthorpe travel to Kelfield, whose batsman Andy Charlton has joined Huby.

Newly-promoted Westow, the Club of the Year, head to Stockton & Hopgrove, whose have lost bowler Matt Bradshaw to Heworth. Wheldrake will entertain Ben Johnson in the first division's other fixture.

The top flight will have nine teams this year with Melbourne having a blank opening Saturday. They will start their programme on Saturday, April 30, against Kelfield but will be without last season's skipper Harry Collins, who has joined Pocklington.

In division two, Hirst Courtney have been boosted by some new recruits, including Krishna Pillai, who captained Thorpe Willoughby's second team last season.

Askham Bryan have also acquired new players through their contacts at the University of York where they now play on the Heslington Lane sportsfield.

This season, the league’s two cup plate competitions – the Mitchell Cup and Prendergast Memorial Trophy – will be played in the T20 format for the first time. There is also be be a six-a-side competition, hosted by Selby, on Sunday, June 26.