CHAMPIONS Penzance will start their ECB Cornwall Premier League title defence on Saturday, May 3 with a trip to St Austell.

The St Clare club regained their crown last summer despite a stern challenge from Callington who they also beat in the WT Edwards Cup final.

There has been plenty of changes to the playing roster but with a plethora of exciting players having also arrived in the likes of Perth Scorchers batsman Sam Fanning, South African under 19 international Roshan Pillay and former Cornwall pro Brad Wadlan.

Several have departed but with a number of additions, they will take some stopping.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Callington entertain neighbours Werrington in an always tasty clash, while newly-promoted Grampound Road welcome 2023 champions Wadebridge.

In the west, St Just make the short trip up the A30 to Redruth, while Truro visit Helston.

Matchday two sees Penzance host Grampound Road while St Just entertain Callngton.

St Austell head down the A390 to Truro while Helston and Redruth are on their travels to Wadebridge and Werrington respectively.

With there now being no T20 Kernow Crash, fixtures are played in the same order with teams who meet on matchday nine meeting on the final day on August 30.

St Just would love nothing more than to stop visiting Penzance celebrating on their own patch, while Helston make the long trip to Callington.

Grampound Road make the short voyage to Truro while there’s a North Cornwall derby between Werrington and Wadebridge at Ladycross as well as Redruth’s home clash with St Austell at Trewirgie.

In County Division One, champions Beacon visit Hayle in a mouthwatering opening day clash.

Beacon comfortably won the title last summer but in a tough-looking division will need to be at their best to retain.

Perranporth’s first ever clash in the second tier sees the Division Two West champions welcome ambitious St Erme, while St Austell Seconds, back in the league for a fourth time having previously struggled, head down to Falmouth.

Newquay have made a number of winter acquisitions and host Paul, while relegated Camborne who will hope to make an immediate return, host Roche who did superbly well to finish outside of the bottom four last year.

Matchday two has Beacon welcoming Falmouth while there is a first meeting in several years between Paul and Camborne at Hutchens Park.

Roche entertain Newquay at Trezaise Road while the battle of the relegated sides sees Perranporth visit St Austell.

Hayle, who have former Cornwall all-rounder Dan Lello back, head up the A30 to St Erme.

Like the Premier, clubs who meet on matchday nine on June 28 will face off on the final day.

Beacon end at Paul while Camborne host Perranporth.

St Erme go to Roche while St Austell Seconds tackle Hayle and Newquay welcome Falmouth.

Perranporth have come on dramatically as a club in recent times, winning the Division Two T20 Cup and eventually Division Two West last summer.

The Pilchards will take on neighbours Newquay in a competitive league game for the first time ever with the clashes set for the Sports Centre on May 24 and at Perran’s Reen Manor Parc on July 26.

Beacon tackle neighbours Camborne on June 7 before making the 1.7-mile trip to Warrior Park on August 16.

To view the fixtures in full, plus the rest of the divisions, visit www.cornwallcricket.co.uk