A QUIRK of the fixture computer has thrown up an appetising encounter when the Cotswold Hills League season gets under way on Saturday.

The league has secured sponsorship from Readers - England's premier cricket ball manufacturers and suppliers - and local independent estate agents - John Shepherd.

Millennium title holders Exhall and Wixford play host to the champions of the previous five summers, Shipston, in what promises to be an enthralling opener to a league campaign that will be hit hard by the weather and the Foot and Mouth crisis.

The ECB Recreational Advisory Group has issued guidelines following the outbreak and the league's executive committee has itself amended certain rules regarding this summer's programme.

Matches cancelled as a result of the disease will be declared null and void, and the same ruling will apply to games cancelled or abandoned by the weather.

League positions will be determined on the basis of average points per completed and promotion and relegation will remain in place but the executive will review the situation as the season progresses.

Home sides affected by Foot and Mouth are responsible for advising their visitors.

Clubs understood to be affected at present are Alcester and Ragley, Bidford, Norton Lindsey and Stratford Bards.

The latter will be hoping the situation improves as they embark on their 25th year, an anniversary that will be marked by a representative match against a Cotswold Hills XI on August 26.

Two new sides to the top flight will lock horns this weekend when Kineton and 2000 Tapster League champions Earlswood start their Premier Division campaign.

After facing Shipston's senior side last term, Alcester and Ragley will face the challenge of the London Road club's second team on Saturday in a first division that contains just a handful of clubs from last year's same section.

Former Tapster League sides Claverdon, Norton Lindsey and Tanworth-in-Arden will be hoping for winning starts in their new surroundings.

In addition to the feeder league newcomers, Warwick County Council Staff and Kenilworth Wardens will make their league debuts in Divisions Four and Five respectively.

When all the runs have been scored and wickets taken, the spoils of what promises to be an exciting season will be handed out on Friday, September 29 at Townsend Hall in Shipston.

More information can be found on the league's new website at www.cotswold-hills-league.org