ALTHOUGH the forecast is far from ideal, the third-tier gets underway tomorrow in what looks set to be a highly-competitive division.With six first teams, all of which have an overseas player, plus the second teams of Wadebridge, Werrington, Callington and St Austell, anything could happen.

Last year’s winners St Blazey were unable to go up due to a lack of youth cricket, and will hope to be in the mix again before tomorrow’s home clash with another side with aspirations in Callington Seconds.

Blazey’s winter has been steady as although opening batsman Matt Bennetts may not play much, they have signed all-rounder Matt Bray from Ladock, while the new overseas player is the highly-rated South African Henro Bouwer who plays in the Titans Premier League.

Both Bray and Bouwer make their debuts tomorrow while the rest of the side, which will again be led by all-rounder Rory Dixon, has a similar look to it.

Callington head to the Philip Varcoe Sports Ground with a host of players missing, although it is still a more than handy side.

With Blake Tancock in the firsts, batsmen Nick Parker, Ben Allsop and Dan Davis are unavailable, as is leg-spinner Harry Sawyers. Bowlers Spencer Whatley and Ryan Hodge are injured but will play as batsmen in the thirds at Tideford.

It does give opportunities to youngsters Ollie Bennett, Zak Newton-Jenkins and Harvey Poad, while experienced South African Blaze Eigenmann is around all season and should be a key player.

ST BLAZEY: Rory Dixon (capt), Josh Carne, Heino Bouwer, Matt Bray, Dan Kendall, Paul Carne (wkt), Riley Carne, Nithin Gowda, Andrew Thomas, Olly Mitchell, Angus Harley.

CALLINGTON SECONDS: Toby Beresford-Power, James Brenton, Peter Tancock, Rich Brown (capt), Charlie Coates, Ollie Bennett, James Moon, Zak Newton-Jenkins, Blaise Eigenmann, Jim Shorten, Harvey Poad.

MENHENIOT-Looe won the Division Three title at the first attempt following relegation and face a Werrington Seconds side who finished just a point above relegated St Minver.

Menheniot have lost Australian opener Findlay Farrell with Lachlan Embleton his replacement, although Embleton being a bowler will help.

Skipper Giles Francis has left the club with key all-rounder Steve Kidd taking on the top job, while the rest of the side has a similar look to it.

Werrington head to Fourgates with a near full-strength side for a game both teams will fancy themselves in.

Cornwall Over 50s batsman Paul Miller has been convinced to move up from the third team, while young all-rounder George Rickard will hope to shine with both bat and ball.

Left-arm spinner Sam Smeeth enjoyed a good first season in the third-tier and could be a difference-maker for skipper Jason Seldon, as will batsman and vice-captain Tom Lyle.

MENHENIOT-LOOE: Luke Ripley, Lachlan Embleton, Peter Nance, Steve Kidd, Peter Swinford, Tom Harris, Sam Jordan, Alex Caddy, Mike Maiden, Josh Geary (wkt), Robert Cowley.

WERRINGTON SECONDS: Ed Walters (wkt), Rob May, Paul Miller, Tom Lyle, George Rickard, Zander Zambuni, Dan Jenkin, Jason Seldon (capt), Darren Webber, Ian Searle, Sam Smeeth.

TINTAGEL made a return to the third-tier as runners-up to Menheniot-Looe and have a tough task in their opener at much-fancied Lanhydrock.

As often is the case with the Knights, runs shouldn’t be an issue, particularly at home, but they will need Australian pace bowler Jack Minehan to provide plenty of early wickets.

He is back for a second season, while countryman Leo Agacy – an opening batsman and spin bowler – impressed in last weekend’s T20 friendlies with Wadebridge and St Erme, and could be a key signing.

They have also brought in Jonny Centini from St Minver and bowler Owen Barnes from South Petherwin, but with Jordan Blanchard out for most of the season with a knee injury and Tom Parsons non-committal at the moment, their depth will be tested.

One bit of good news is that Gyles Reynolds has recovered from injury to provide a good option with the ball.

Lanhydrock couldn’t be in a better position to make a serious title tilt.

Skipper Jamie Eldridge has managed to keep Pakistani opener Amir Khan despite plenty of offers from higher up the leagues, while new overseas player Sam Remedios provides a real point of difference as he looks to bat at four and be a frontline off-spinner.

Eldridge has also got wicketkeeper Simon Benney and left-arm spinner Ruben Turner to commit and anyone who finishes above the Bodmin-based club will surely be champions.

Eldridge names a full-strength side which includes six frontline bowling options and a long batting line-up.

LANHYDROCK: Amir Khan, Michael Horne, Luke Buckland, Sam Remedios, Ben Attfield, Josh Taylor, Christian James, Simon Benney (wkt), Jamie Eldridge (capt), Jacob Eldridge, Ruben Turner.

TINTAGEL: Matt Jolliffe (capt), Leo Agacy, Jordan Burnard, Ryan Pooley, Sam Abbott (wkt), Jonny Centini, Adrian Pooley, Gyles Reynolds, Jack Minehan, Owen Barnes, Harry Daly.

ST AUSTELL Seconds and their Wadebridge counterparts alongside Lanhydrock start as much-fancied sides, and one will land an early blow tomorrow when they meet at Wheal Eliza.

St Austell have Steve Raven in as full-time vice-captain to Tom Rosevear, while promising youngsters Jack and Tom Mallet and new signing Hayden Coad provide exciting options.

Wadebridge’s task has been made far easier by the news that left-handed opening batsman Sam Richards is back after a year out, while hard-hitting batsman Ryan Pooley will score plenty if he plays regularly.

Charlie Hawken’s move to Australia is a blow, but it allows promising paceman Lucas Stewart the chance to become a regular.

ST AUSTELL SECONDS: Archie Connolly (wkt), Steve Raven, Dan Jarman, Jack Mallet, James Carter, Matt Ellison, David Munn, Henry Johnson, Qasim Jamal, Tom Rosevear (capt), Hayden Coad.

WADEBRIDGE SECONDS: Tom McLachlan, Sam Richards, Ryan Pooley, Jamie Beare, Paul Menhinick (capt), Ross McLachlan, Tom Wilson (wkt), Alek Gill, Lucas Stewart, Owen Bate, Steve Gunner.

IT’S derby day at Stanhope Park as Holsworthy and Bude look for a far less stressful summer.

The Devonians were in huge trouble for much of the season before finishing seventh, while Bude sleep walked their way into a relegation battle, only surviving on a head-to-head record with St Minver after Minver failed to take the last wicket in their victory over Luckett.

Holsworthy are near enough the side that ended last year in good form, although South African all-rounder Bilal Darber is the new overseas in place of Australian Noah Pigdon.

Dan Smith is set to play most of the season despite living in Andover, although for tomorrow they have to do without wicket-keeper Chris Pomeroy and hard-hitting all-rounder Matt Shepherd due to football and work respectively.

It does give promising youngsters Rory Piper (batsman) and Dan Lucas (bowler) the chance to stake a regular place.

Bude also name a near full-strength team which includes new overseas player Charlie Hoban.

The 20-year-old from Christchurch is a batsman that bowls more than handy off-spin.

A lack of pace bowling options is a concern, but a lengthy batting line-up should give them hope, particularly when new signing Dylan Grinker starts playing. He misses this weekend but is set to face St Blazey next Saturday.

HOLSWORTHY: Jack Greening, Aiden Gerry, Brendan Harris, Rory Piper, Ryan Walter (capt, wkt), Sam Stacey, Bilal Darber, Dan Smith, Rob Mitchell, Dan Lucas, Graham Wild.

BUDE: Wayne Adams, Warren Rumble (capt, wkt), Matt Whitefield, Charlie Hoban, Richard Dymond, Andrew De Rosa, David Sillifant, Matt Williams, Harry Dymond, Matthew Mansbridge, Mark Whitefield.