PROMOTED Copmanthorpe face a baptism of fire on their return to the top flight of the HPH York Vale Cricket League.

Last season’s second division champions will open the campaign at champions York University Staff on Saturday, April 24.

North Cave, who finished runners-up to Copmanthorpe, start with a home game against Barmby Moor, while the other first division newcomers, Heworth, travel to Bishopthorpe.

The league can possibly boast the longest-running sports sponsorship in the York area after chartered accountants HPH agreed to extend its current deal by a further three years.

The firm first backed the league in 1993 so the new agreement takes the total length of the sponsorship to 20 years.

League chairman Peter Northfield said: “It is very pleasing that chartered accountants HPH have agreed to continue their sponsorship of the York Vale Cricket League for the next three years. HPH have supported the league for a long time and it has been a great help.

“Running a cricket club is very expensive and sponsorship of the league has enabled us to keep league fees to our members as low as possible. We are indebted to HPH for their continued support of the league and the HPH knock out cup competition.”

Northfield was also appreciative of Drax Power’s decision to extend their sponsorship of the annual young player of the year award, which it first backed in 2002, for three more years.

Former policeman John Parker is the new secretary for the league, which is on the lookout for a new treasurer to replace Mike Hamshere who has said he wants to stand down from the post. The league’s dinner and awards night will be held at the Royal York Hotel on Saturday, October 9 with the annual general meeting at Fulfordgate WMC on Monday, November 8.

The full fixture list for the new season can be found on www.yorkvale.co.uk