THE National Village Cricket Championship celebrates its 30th year this summer, but the weather and the foot and mouth outbreak threatens to cause immense disruption.

The first round matches are scheduled for April 29 and organisers have asked competing clubs to obtain a result even if it means getting together in competition off the field and playing darts in the pub.

Nine local sides are in the competition and they will compete in three different groups.

Cotswold Hills League duo Elmley Castle and Overbury have both received byes into round two of the Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Powys group.

Overbury will entertain Eastnor and Castle will visit Martley in second round matches to be completed by May 13. Two more Cotswold league sides, Kineton and Exhall and Wixford are competing in the Leicestershire and Warwickshire group alongside former mentors Bearley Bears.

Exhall have been given a bye until round three, while Bearley will entertain Offchurch and Kineton face a second round trip to Houghton on the Hill.

In the Gloucestershire group, Adlestrop, Bredon and Dumbleton face early ties on April 29 against Redmarley, Wickwar and Painswick respectively. Adlestrop are the only hosts.

Slaughters United, meanwhile, have an extra two weeks to prepare their players and ground - they have a home tie in round two against Woodchester.