OFFICIALS have revamped the structure of next season's North Midlands Shield by regionalising the opening two rounds.

The preliminary and first rounds will be contested within the three junior counties of the North Midlands - Shropshire, Greater Birmingham and Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

The move comes in a bid to cut down on travelling costs for clubs.

As with the North Midlands Cup, no dates have been set for the preliminary and first rounds.

Clubs will be expected to play their Shield games on the first available date when they are free from league and Powergen Junior Cup commitments.

Ledbury, who won the inaugural shield competition last season, have been promoted to the North Midlands Cup for the coming season.

Old Saltleians - last season's beaten finalists - will have to overcome a preliminary round tie when they face Old Griffinians.

Worcestershire and Herefordshire Preliminary Round: Bromyard v Bredon Star, Dudley Wasps v Stourport. First round: Greyhound v Stourbridge Lions, Droitwich v Bromyard or Bredon, Tenbury v Redditch, Worcester Wanderers v Upton, Woodrush v Dudley Wasps or Stourport, Ross on Wye v Chaddesley Corbett.