THE Wiltshire Cricket League's 23rd season swings into action on Saturday.

This season the league will comprise of eight divisions with 10 teams in each. Sadly within the last month, Ramsbury have withdrawn from Division Four.

Last season's Division One champions, Box, will be playing in the Gloucester/Wiltshire League Division Two. Relegated Purton, who last played in the Wiltshire League in 1993, take Box's place.

In Division Eight the newcomers are All Cannings 2nd, Blunsdon 2nd, and Corsham 4th. These sides replace Bradford 3rd and Wootton Bassett 4th.

In Division One, Purton will obviously be seeking a quick promotion, and should have an early chance to gauge their strength when they entertain newly-promoted Collingbourne.

Biddestone, Calne, and Westinghouse will look to stake their claims, but perhaps they should look over their shoulders for last season's Division Two champions, Nationwide House, who have gained promotion each year since they joined the league in 1999. On last year's end of season form, Beanacre and Potterne might well struggle.

Relegated Buscot Park should do well in Division Two, with strong challenges from Lechlade and Sutton Veny. Great Bedwyn and Swindon Civil Service, along with promoted Cherhill and Urchfont, could also feature.

Swindon 3rd in Division Three could well be the pace setters. Promoted Blunsdon and Heytesbury should also do well.

Lambourn could well set the pace in Division Four, along with Mildenhall, Corsham 3rd, and if the latter part of last season is a guide, a rapidly improving Coates.

In the remaining divisions United Churches have a good opportunity to gain promotion from Division Five, and it will be interesting to see how last year's only unbeaten side, Division Six champions, Swindon Litten Tree perform.

In Division Six, Nationwide House could well be the side to beat with Westinghouse 2nd and Wootton Bassett 3rd in the frame.

In Division Seven, Beehive Bradford, last year's runaway Division Eight winners, and United Churches 2nd could feature.