THE Berkshire Cricket League gets underway this Saturday in what will prove the final year in its current format.

A series of meetings between the BCL, the Chilterns League and the Mid-Bucks League has seen an agreement reached for a joint ‘Championship Division’ in 2018.

This will comprise the top five teams in the BCL Premier and the top five in the Chilterns Division One (excluding clubs moving to the Thames Valley League). Talks are also underway to consider a joint league from 2019 with the BCL clubs forming west divisions and the Chilterns and the mid-Bucks east divisions.

In the BCL this season there will be 48 teams from 27 clubs in five divisions, with the new admissions Mortimer and West Reading 4ths.

Reigning Premier Division champions West Reading will start as favourites to retain their title, but a number of other clubs will fancy their chances, especially recent winners Peppard Stoke Row and Sulhamstead.

In Division One, relegated Mortimer West End and Emmbrook & Bearwood should be strong contenders to bounce straight back, though West Reading 2nds could also be in contention for the title. Division Two should be a very even division with Shinfield probably fancying their chances along with Hawley and Stratfield Turgis.

In Division Three, Purley-on-Thames 3rds will fancy their chances and in Division Four any one of the sides could rise to the top.

A new competition is also being added this season, known as the ‘Bye Week Challenge’. This competition is for teams in Divisions Three and Four, who have two blank weeks in their league fixtures. Teams from those divisions will play each other on a home and away basis with a win/lose format. The top four teams will qualify for a finals day in September which will be played on a T20 format.

The League Committee has been proactive during the close-season, particularly in developing the proficiency of captains, club umpires and scorers. Two seminars were held which jointly attracted attendances of more than 110 captains, scorers and umpires.

The League has some vacancies for qualified umpires on its Umpire Panel which operates in the Premier Division. Anyone interested should contact league secretary, Sam Peates by email at secretary@thebcl.org.

Chairman Eddie Lunn said: “I wish all clubs well for the 2017 season. This is going to be a really exciting season, with perhaps a bit more to play for than usual.

“As well as winning the title, a top-five place will be the objective for clubs in the Premier Division and the new 2018 Championship Division will prove an incentive.”