IT'S business as usual for Goatacre this season as they remain in Division One while their local rivals have all changed divisions.

The club, skippered for the second year by Pete Turner, enjoyed a number of local derbies last season.

But following the relegation of Swindon and Wootton Bassett and the promotion of Devizes they will have a lot more travelling to do this term.

There has been little change in the personnel department as Goatacre have hung onto their players and not yet added any new faces.

All rounder Jonathan Wilkins, 19, will be expected to hit a decent number of runs this season while Australian Scott Kurwood should feature prominently in both batting and bowling.

Kurwood does not count at the club's overseas player because he has lived in England for a number of years.

But the club have yet to secure the services of an overseas player for the season anyway.

Goatacre secretary Eddie Jenkinson said the side are aiming for a season of consolidation in Division One.

"Last season was a battle I think," he said. "There were two or three games we should have won and didn't because the luck just wasn't with us.

"But there were also some games we battled through and got results and in the end we only just escaped relegation.

"This season the aim would be to definitely consolidate in this division and hopefully finish in top half.

"We haven't lost any key players over the winter.

"We have maintained the current squad and we are still looking to see if there are any new players in area we may attract."

Goatacre face Bredon at home in their opening league game on Saturday and then travel to Bristol League Winsley on Sunday in the National Village Knockout competition.

Jenkinson added: "In the last three or four years we have not done ourselves justice in the National Village Knockout so hopefully we can put that right.

"Winsley have a couple of Goatacre old boys in John Spencer and Richard Witts and we are looking forward to meeting them again."

Goatacre's junior coaching starts at the cricket ground this Monday at 6.15pm for U12s and from next Friday at 6.15pm for U15s.