Shropshire Star

Shifnal start Birmingham League season with trip to Premier champions

Newly-promoted Shifnal have been handed the toughest possible start to their Birmingham League Premier Division campaign.

Published

Chris Murrall’s side, who include Wellington seamer Jack Twigger among their new recruits, will begin away to champions Berkswell on Saturday, April 20.

Their first home game of the season sees them welcome Dorridge to Priorslee Road a week later.

Shrewsbury start with a trip to Barnt Green before facing Berkswell for their home opener on April 27.

Shifnal and Shrewsbury meet for the first time on June 15, with the return fixture at London Road on August 31.

The season finishes on September 14 with Shrewsbury and Shifnal both at home against Smethwick and Barnt Green respectively.

Bridgnorth, after the agony of missing out on promotion by one point, have been handed an opening-day trip to last season’s Division Two champions Harborne.

Their opening Cricket Meadow fixture in the re-named Premier Division Two is an all-Shropshire affair against Oswestry.

Oswestry, under the guidance of new skipper Dean Suter, begin their campaign with a visit from Ombersley.

July 13 is the date for the return derby fixture when Bridgnorth will make the trip to Morda Road.

Oswestry end the season away to Harborne while Bridgnorth finish by welcoming Bromsgrove to Cricket Meadow.

This will be the first year of the restructured Birmingham League which was reduced from four divisions to two in a bid to boost quality.