THE Aire-Wharfe Cricket League season starts this weekend and champions Otley will be looking to defend their title.

The Otley club open their season at Horsforth CC, the team they beat on the final game of last season to secure the title.

"It's going to be a tough test," said new Otley captain James Davies said: "We won the league against them, so they will be keen to get one over on us."

Davies has taken over as first team skipper for Ben Morley, who has moved on to Bradford League side Farsley.

Davies said that a couple of other key players have moved on as well, looking to play a different standard of cricket.

However, Davies said Otley have welcomed three new signings as well, including two from Guiseley, who were relegated from Division One last season.

Davies said that one of those two players, Damon Reeve, will open the bowling for Otley.

The other, wicketkeeper Tom Brady, will return to Otley, the club he played for as a junior.

Davies also said young Stephen Brown will be joining Otley. Brown is a batsman of part-time off-spin bowler.

In other games in Division One, Collingham & Linton, who have returned to top division after winning Division Two last year, host Burley-in-Wharfedale, who finished second in the league last season.

The other newly promoted team, Addingham, travel to Pool for their first game.

Ilkley will host Rawdon at their Denton Road ground, Adel are away to Follifoot and Harrogate side Bilton host North Leeds.