BROMYARD Cricket Club secretary Edd Oliver is confident his side can bounce straight back up to Division One of the Worcestershire County League.

The Flaggoners Green side struggled throughout last season and start this campaign with an away trip to Worcester Dominies and Guild in Division Two.

Left-arm spinner Will Yarnold will captain the side but Ash Bullock has left for a new challenge at Old Elizabethans in Division Two of the Birmingham & District Premier League.

"We have a young but talented side and hope to be challenging for immediate promotion," said Oliver.

"In particular we hope that several of the younger players who have just broken into the 1st XI in the past year, will kick on and cement their positions in the side.

"Ryan Tongue left midway through last season to go to Barnards Green and is now at Brockhampton, Ian Bullock also left halfway through last season and is doing well at Brockhampton and Dinusha Fernando will not be returning after four prolific seasons at Flaggoners Green.

"James Hine also stepped down as skipper midway through last season.

"However, we have signed Josh van Rensburg as an overseas amateur and we have great hopes for him.

"Seam bowling all-rounder and former Herefordshire CCC player Greg Leighton is staying at Bromyard, despite offers from five other clubs during the close season.

"Those two should form a potent opening attack with the ball and will both bat in the top order.

"Former Pakistani professional Zahid Saeed should be available for at least half of the fixtures this season and should still be a force with the bat.

"We have two Worcester University lads, Tom Bussey and Keiran Fowler, who will bolster the 1st XI squad for the first couple of months of the season, and we hope that young batsmen James Owens and George Leighton, and 14 year-old off-spinner Jamie Abell, can start to fulfil their obvious potential."

Elsewhere in the Worcestershire League, Colwall start their Division One campaign with a trip to Bewdley and Wormelow travel to Alvechurch & Hopwood in Division Two.

In Division Three, Bartestree & Lugwardine go to Rushwick and Ross-on-Wye host Kempsey.