THE new cricket season gets underway locally on Saturday with the first Crusader Worcestershire County League outings for three sides.

Colwall, Monmouth and Wormelow will all be making their debuts in Division 3 South after joining the competition this season.

Monmouth and Wormelow have moved on from the Flint & Cook Marches League, which gets underway on May 6, while Colwall have moved closer to home after previously playing their cricket in the Gloucestershire & Wiltshire section of the West of England Premier League.

Monmouth, double winners in the Marches League for the past three seasons, have been warming up for the new campaign with a series of net sessions under the auspices of first-class umpire Graham Burgess.

The former Somerset all-rounder commented on the club's 'fantastic team spirit'.

"Graham Burgess worked our players very hard in what was our best pre-season training for many years," said Monmouth skipper Dan Head.

"Everyone at the club is now looking forward to the start of the new season and the exciting challenges that it promises to bring.

"The game against Tenbury Wells will be a tough opener, but hopefully we can make a successful transition to the new competition."

As well as debuting in the Worcestershire League, Monmouth have also entered the Welsh Cricket Association's Knockout Cup for the first time and have been handed a daunting trip to Cardiff in the opening round on May 7.

Wormelow, who finished fourth in last season's Marches League campaign, are also looking forward to their new surroundings.

"The new challenges and opportunities awaiting the club have helped to invigorate the members with a new goal and direction," said skipper Chris Powell.

"Hopefully this will carry on through on to the pitch.

"Pre-season training has gone well with new and young players bolstering the squad, with a thriving youth section looking to push for places in the senior team. We will certainly enjoy the new tests head."

Wormelow begin their Worcestershire League campaign by hosting Himbleton on Saturday.

After many successful years in the West of England Premier League, it was not an easy decision for Colwall to make to transfer to the Worcestershire League. But at least they will now spend much less time on the road.

The Malvern club's president Adrian Berry said: "Last season, we were very nearly promoted into the West of England Premier Two and this would have meant travelling to Taunton. Our players see their future in Worcestershire and then the Birmingham League."

Colwall begin their campaign with a visit to Worcester Dominies.

l Herefordshire's other clubs in the Crusader Worcestershire County League - Brockhampton, Bromyard, Eastnor and Kington in Division 1 and Luctonians in Division 2 - begin their programmes on Saturday, April 29.