AMBITIOUS Exhall and Wixford are hoping to better last season's third place by winning the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division title.

Chairman John Canning said a side featuring three new recruits was also aiming for a good run in the National Village Knockout competition despite being drawn away in the opening round.

The villagers will have to visit Leicestershire outfit Cropston but first turn their thoughts to their Cotswold opener at home to arch rivals Bidford on Saturday (2pm start).

Former colt Simon Hollands is back at the club from Stratford and Jim Goldstraw has jumped ship from Badsey.

With Australian-born Graham Wicks signed up and another unnamed new recruit waiting in the wings, Exhall are confident of another good season and hope to start by piling the misery on Bidford in Saturday's derby.

The club have been boosted by the support of new sponsor the Turks Head, Alcester.

Bidford had a torrid time last year after lifting the title the previous season, and only avoided relegation by finding form late in the day.

Alcester skipper Nick Chadbourne has recruited his brother Paul for the new season.

The newcomer has switched from Derbyshire League side Matlock and is one of three new faces at the club.

The captain is hoping to have Sri Lankan Dillon Fernando available for a full season and Adam Devey is back from Australia.

But the skipper admitted he was in the dark about opponents Bretforton in Saturday's Division One curtain-raiser (2pm start).

Ambitious Great Alne hope to continue their upward curve after a spectacular season saw them romp unbeaten to the Division Five title last year.

Boosted by the arrival of a big sponsorship boost and the setting up of a new youth set-up, the Henley Road club's first team start the season at home to Ashton II's on Saturday (2pm start).

Division Six newcomers Cookhill play their first ever Cotswold Hills fixture at Ashorne on Saturday (2pm start).

The villagers have switched from the Worcestershire County League but will be without captain Paul Williams, who is unavailable for the opening three games.

Vice captain Dave Whitehead is expected to lead the side in his absence.

Cookhill announced their intent with a friendly win over Cotswold One neighbours Alcester and Ragley Park in pre-season.