By Patrick Hill

Last updated 11:41, Thursday, 24 April 2008

THE Eden Valley Cricket League season starts on Saturday - 226 days after the last campaign ended with Scotby winning the Premier Division.

The former Cumbria League outfit also finished runners-up to in last season's League Cup. They start the new season away at top-flight newcomers Edenhall.

Caldbeck Firsts, who finished just two points behind Scotby last season, begin their assault on the Premier Division title away at Penrith Seconds.

The Premier League's other newcomers Nunwick will start the season away at Carlisle. They won last season's Division One title after finishing a point above Cockermouth Seconds.

The top-flight's other fixtures include Braithwaite v Stainton Firsts and Appleby Seconds v Staffield.

Fixture secretary Norman Shuttleworth says about 90 per cent of the Premier League's opening 30 matches will be played with an umpire, following an appeal for more officials.

“Everyone's raring to go,” said Norman. “We've got umpires for 30 of the first 33 Premier Division matches so the drive to get more umpires has gone quite well.

“I'm hopeful one or two more players might decide their legs aren't up to running about but might be up to standing as umpires as the season goes on.

“It doesn't pay the earth, but we pay the same as the North Lancs league and it's a nice sum.”

Cockermouth Seconds, who last season missed out on promotion to the top-flight by just a point, will travel to Kirkby Stephen on Saturday, while newly promoted Wigton Seconds start at home to Carleton.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Shap will host Baggrow Firsts and on Sunday Cockermouth Thirds will host Gamblesby and Culgaith will travel to Denton Holme.

Wetheral and Great Corby, who have both been promoted from Division Three, start away from home at Penrith Thirds and Edenside Thirds respectively.

Patterdale and Lowther who were both relegated from last season's Division One, start away at Appleby Thirds .