Aston Rowant will open their campaign in Division 1 of the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League with a trip to Potters Bar in Hertfordshire on May 8.

The Oxfordshire club, who won Division 2 West last season, host fellow promoted side Harpenden the following week.

Rowant’s first top-flight Oxfordshire derby is at 2009 runners-up Banbury on May 22.

The week before, Banbury host traditional rivals Oxford.

Oxford begin their campaign at home to Radlett, while Banbury visit Harpenden.

Thame Town open up in Division 2 West with a trip to Beaconsfield, then host Finchampstead on May 15.

Meanwhile, Horspath, who came so close to winning Cherwell League Division 1 last season, begin the new campaign at home to Bourton Vale on May 8.

Horspath finished third, just three points behind champions Dinton and will look to top the pile in the MP Sports-sponsored league.

Oxford 2nd visit last season’s runners-up Buckingham and Cumnor host Challow & Childrey.

Darryl Woods will begin his reign as the new Oxford Downs captain and coach with a home fixture against Bletchley Town, while his former club, Bicester & North Oxford, pay a visit Shipton-under-Wychwood.

OPENING FIXTURES

Serious Cricket Home

Counties Premier League

Division 1

May 8: Banbury v Harpenden, Oxford v Radlett, Potters Bar v Aston Rowant.

May 15: Banbury v Oxford, Aston Rowant v Harpenden.

Division 2 West

May 8: Beaconsfield v Thame Town.

May 15: Thame Town v Finchampstead.

MP Sports Cherwell League

Division 1

May 8: Buckingham v Oxford 2nd, Cumnor v Challow & Childrey, Horspath v Bourton Vale, Oxford Downs v Bletchley Town, Shipton-under-Wychwood v Bicester & North Oxford.

May 15: Bicester & North Oxford v Oxford Downs, Bletchley Town v Horspath, Bourton Vale v Cumnor, Challow & Childrey v Buckingham, Oxford 2nd v Shipton.