WEST INDIAN paceman Kirk Powell has been signed by Dunnington, who start their bid for a hat-trick of York and District Cricket League titles on Saturday.

Powell was a major influence when he was at Easingwold three years ago and has been brought in by the champions to replace Simon Cook.

It is also understood that top all-rounder Dave Greenlay has joined the Common Road side from Thirsk.

Dunnington, the League and Cup double winners, entertain one of their likely challengers, Woodhouse Grange, on the opening day.

The following day they take on Acomb in the President's Challenge Trophy.

It is hard to see anyone preventing Collis King's side from taking the Hunters The Estate Agent-sponsored league title again.

It will be interesting to see how Grange's new overseas player, Pakistan Under-19 left-handed bat Kamrad Sajid, fares against Dunnington.

Heworth have also looked to Pakistan in fast-medium pacer Mohammed Fayyaz but may lack overall depth to challenge for honours.

Acomb have established quality players in Richard and Dave Sykes and Andy Tute, while a number of promising youngsters should ensure a top-four rating in the premier division.

Osbaldwick, with Damon Aston returning as their overseas man, should figure in the top half of the table.

There has been an exodus at Thirsk, who will be under the command of Barry Petty.

In addition to Greenlay's move, Darren Wyrill has departed for Malton and Old Malton, while Neil Stephenson has opted to play nearer home at Driffield.

Both promoted sides, Sessay and Carlton Towers, may find themselves locked in a battle with Thirsk to avoid the drop.

Steve Frare returns to the Sessay side, who are also hoping to complete the signing of a Durham University student with county second XI experience. Towers have snapped up teenage Australian all-rounder Sam McNally.

The two relegated sides, Sheriff Hutton Bridge and Pocklington, will be bidding to get back into the premier division without an overseas player.

Paul Oldfield has taken over the leadership at Bridge, who hope to have wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Crowder available on a more regular basis than last summer.

Andy Inns has left Pock, but the squad should still be strong enough to compete.

Malton and Old Malton look capable of mounting match-winning scores in division two, particularly with the acquisition of Wyrill and David Nankervis from Victoria.

Relegated Dringhouses will probably be happy with a top six placing but Stillington, who accompanied Dringhouses out of division one, could struggle.

Teams expected to feature in division three are relegated Bubwith, New Earswick, Woodhouse Grange II, Bolton Percy and promoted Pickering II.

Civil Service have had horrendous problems throughout the winter with regards to the future of their ground, while both Hovingham and Heslington have lost a number of players.

Londesborough Park and Cawood will expect to gain promotion from division four at the first attempt after being relegated last season.

Hemingbrough are the unknown quantity in the division after switching from the East Riding Alliance.

Selby are odds-on favourites for the division five title, while Huntington's experienced players may still have enough in their tanks to arrest their club's decline.

Three teams are scheduled to be relegated from the division at the end of the season.

Updated: 11:18 Thursday, April 24, 2003