BEAMINSTER will open their County Division One comeback season with an intriguing home contest against fellow promoted side Witchampton.

Ross Baker’s men, who rose a division after coming second to the Witches in the 2019 County Division Two campaign, kick off their year on Saturday, May 1.

In 2020, Beaminster entered a mini-season due to the pandemic-shortened summer of cricket.

They competed alongside Weymouth and Marnhull in a rejigged Division Two but came 10th of 12 teams having triumphed in just one of six games.

And in a difficult opening month of the 2021 season, Beaminster will tackle both Marnhull (May 8) and Weymouth (May 22) away from home.

June is little easier, with trips to Portland Red Triangle (Jun 5) and Swanage (Jun 26) bookending home games with former Premier League side Stalbridge and Hamworthy Recreation.

In July, Beaminster will visit former County Division Two adversaries Compton House and Shillingstone as the reverse fixtures are completed.

Beaminster’s season ends on Saturday, August 28 when Swanage journey to the Memorial Ground.

Hopes are high that a return to a normal season can be undertaken this summer after Covid-19 badly affected the 2020 campaign.

Clubs were prevented from organising teas for visiting teams and two-metre social distancing was implemented – as were sanitising breaks every six overs.

Matches were also reduced from 45 overs to 40 per side to accommodate the extra stoppages in play.