HPH York Vale Cricket League champions Hemingbrough will begin the defence of their title with a home game against 2008 winners Barmby Moor.

The season starts on Saturday, April 23 and other first division fixtures that day include both promoted clubs having home advantage. Division two champions Ben Johnson host Wheldrake, and Stockton & Hopgrove host Burn.

Bishopthorpe will travel to North Cave and the opening matches in the top flight will be completed the following day when Clifton Alliance take on Copmanthorpe.

University of York Staff, division one champions in 2009, begin life in division two with a home game against Heworth, the side which went down with Staff.

In division five, newly-elected South Cave and Brantingham will start against Drax while fellow newcomers Dunnington and Yapham meet the following day.

Full fixture lists are available on the website www.yorkvale.co.uk Teams will receive two boxes of the league’s new ball, Hunt’s County, at a meeting at Fulfordgate WMC on Tuesday, April 12.