CIRENCESTER have been sprucing themselves up off the pitch in the close season and aim to be in tip-top shape for the start of their Gloucestershire County League Division One campaign at Ruardean Hill in the Forest of Dean on Saturday.

A successful CricketForce weekend at the club this month saw up to 60 volunteers give the pavillion a lick of paint, repair broken nets and tend to the pitch.

Ciren are very much in rebuilding mode after falling from the heady heights of Western League cricket with five relegations in five seasons.

And chairman Brian Hudson added: "We're looking to build a real community cricket club which will give us success at a realistic level.''

Thankfully, the squad has needed less surgery after last year's promotion.

Skipper Andy Reynolds is boosted by the acquisition of two opening bowlers, Jason Moore and left-armer Ian Moore and also boast the talents of Gloucestershire under 19 player James Shackleton, 16.

Hudson added: "The key thing for us this season is to remain in this division after our promotion.''

1st XI FIXTURES

(Home matches in caps)

April 30: Ruardean Hill; May 7: FAIRFORD; May 14: Apperley; May 21: FRAMPTON; May 28: Stone; June 4: KINGSHOLM; June 11: Chelt Civil Service; June 18: BIRDLIP; July 2: TEWKESBURY; July 9: Fairford; July 16: APPERLEY; July 23: Frampton; July 30: STONE; August 6: Kingsholm; August 13: CHELT CIVIL SERVICE; August 20: Birdlip; August 27: RUARDEAN HILL; September 3: Tewkesbury.