THE competitive fixtures for both Chard Cricket Club and Ilminster Cricket Club is due to start this weekend.

To start, Ilminster Cricket Club will start their season in the WEPL Premier Two division with an away trip to Midsomer Norton CC on Saturday, May 6.

Their first home game of the season is against Bishopston CC on Saturday, May 13.

For Chard Cricket Club, they start their WEPL Somerset season with a home game against Wellington CC on Saturday, May 6.

Also in May is the big local derby between Chard and Yeovil, set to be played on Saturday, May 20.

The off-season has been disrupted this year due to mixed weather but both clubs have played a handful of friendlies.

Ilminster CC took on Yeovil in a friendly at the weekend just gone, as did Chard who took on North Perrott.

Outside of the first teams, training has been underway for over a month now but as mentioned, the amount of cricket played has been limited due to the weather.

In terms of acquisitions, Ilminster CC will be welcoming new signing, Sri Lankan batsman, Adeesha Nanayakkara.

He will be ready to play for the first match of the season on Saturday.

In domestic cricket, the hard-hitting opening bat averages in the high-30s in first-class and List A cricket. So spectators can expect some big runs totals.

For Chard, their key signing is Josh Short who has signed on from Kilmington CC.

The allrounder was a top player last year in the Devon Leagues and will now ply his trade in South Somerset.

Down the leagues, Ilminster Second XI will start their campaign at home on Saturday, May 6, against North Newton CC.

Ilminster Third XI face Taunton St Andrews CC B team on Saturday in the Somerset Division Six South competition.

Also the Ilminster Fourth Xi and the Chard Third XI will begin their league campaign with a derby match.

They face off in the Somerset Division Seven Red division on Saturday, May 6.

The Chard Second XI are also in action on Saturday. They start their Somerset Cricket Leagues Division Three season away at Street CC.

One thing is for certain, there is plenty of cricket action involving teams at these two clubs, and it is all due to start this weekend, weather permitting.