Biggest ever cricket season begins

The first two weeks are taken up with the first two rounds of the Intersport of Lewes Trophy and the first round of the Intersport of Lewes Plate.

For the second successive year, Seaford, last year's league champions '“ and runners-up in 2005 '“ play Glynde, last year's league runners-up and champions for three consecutive years from 2003.

There is one other all first division clash, between Hellingly, who have four XIs in the league, and Crowhurst Park.

The league programme gets under way on May 5 with another clash of the titans when Glynde and Seaford once again lock horns. It is anticipated that both teams will be vying for the league title this season.

This year the Parker Building Supplies sponsored league has expanded to 12 divisions and has welcomed all the clubs from the now defunct Cuckmere Valley League.

Mike Lovesay, honorary secretary of the East Sussex League, said, "Whilst it is very sad that the Cuckmere Valley League has come to an end after honourably keeping the flame of village cricket alive for 100 years, we are pleased to be able to offer their clubs good friendly and competitive cricket with us. We are sure they will be striving very hard to prove that we have placed them too low in the league.

"We also commend Bexhill, Hellingly and Seaford, who will also have four XIs in the league, and Little Common Ramblers who have started a third XI."

This is an important season for the league, not only because of the record number of clubs and teams taking part, but also because the Sussex Cricket League aims to start a third division east and west in 2008 '“ with automatic (subject to suitability of grounds and facilities) promotion and relegation between Sussex Cricket League and the East Sussex League (as well as the Sussex Invitation League in the west).