CLEOBURY Mortimer CC are hoping to build on last year’s promotion with a year of consolidation in the Marches League’s top flight, says former skipper Ben Griffiths.

Promoted last year as Division Two runners-up, Cleobury’s campaign is scheduled to begin at home to Abergavenny this Saturday, although the weather has put that game in doubt.

But ex-captain Griffiths says the team is embracing the new challenge, adding: “We know we are going to be playing against better teams but we are excited.

“Apparently there is a big difference in the standards of the divisions and we know we will have to raise our game.

“If we could finish mid-table, we would be pleased with that – we don’t just want to aim for survival because you have to have some ambition when you go up.”

In Division Two, meanwhile, Knighton on Teme start with a home game against Colwall thirds.

The weather decimated last weekend’s Shropshire League fixtures with neither Ludlow or Bishops Castle able to play.