OCA League: Charlbury will face a baptism of fire as they enter the top flight for the first time, following two successive promotions, writes KIEREN BUSHNELL.

Skipper Glen McCallum will be hoping for a season of consolidation, but his cause has not been helped by the news that one of last year's key batsmen, Andy Timms, has been ruled out for the season with a serious knee injury.

McCallum, who says goodbye to his son, Craig, who is off to Great Tew, says he is focusing on promoting some of the talented youngsters this season.

He said: "We are really just looking to hang in there, but we will be bringing our youth players through.

"Those that deserve a chance will get it, and I would expect big things of Sid Bartlett and Ashley Rump - who both performed well last year."

Charlbury face a tricky start to life in Division 1 with a trip to last year's runners-up Tetsworth on Saturday.

Defending champions Westbury will have to make do without the services of opening bowler Andy Swain as they look to win the title for the third time in four years.

Swain has left the club to join Stony Stratford in the Northants League, but captain Richard Tredwell is hopeful of another successful season.

He said: "We will certainly be going all out to win the title again.

"We have promoted young Alastair Maclaren to fill the void left by Andy, and I am very hopeful that we will be up there again."

Tetsworth welcome back seamer Kelroy Brown as they look to go one better than last year and win the title.

Brown has not been available on Saturdays due to work commitments, but is now back in the fold.

Although Tetsworth won the Airey Cup in 2003, they missed out on an OCA double when they were pipped by Westbury in the final game.

Secretary Frank Eley said: "We really threw the chance away last year. It was more a case of us losing it, rather than Westbury winning it.

"We were on top of the table for most of the year, but dropping the odd bonus point here and there cost us dearly."

Oxford Caribbean captain Eddie Howard says he expects his team to be challenging for the title this season, after a solid first year back in the top flight.

He is hoping the form of hard-hitting batsman Dave Prosper will improve, while Ryan Mills, a new signing, is expected to make a big impact.

Howard said: "This winter we have practised very hard, and we've introduced a couple of new faces.

"We would certainly hope to challenge for the title, and would be disappointed if we didn't."

Caribbean take on Hook Norton tomorrow.

Witney Swifts will be hoping for better fortunes as they enter their second season in Division 1.

They were haunted by relegation worries until late in the season last time around, but skipper Andy Fisher is hopeful that 2004 will be more fruitful.

He points to young star Perry Senior as one of the key players.

He said: "If we can get out a first-choice side, then we should do far better this year. Perry is a classy player and if he can turn his good starts into runs, I am very hopeful."