THE new-look Servicemaster T20 competition swings into action tomorrow (Saturday) with two rounds of games in the pool stages.

Competition organiser Richard Stevenson has kept the festival format trialled last season with three games played in a single day at the same venue to determine the group.

Stevenson has moved the group stages to a pre-season slot in the hope of avoiding the fixture congestion that harmed earlier rounds of last summer’s competition.

Bovey Tracey host Heathcoat and Cullompton in pool one and Sandford entertain Barton and Plympton in pool three.

B Division side Cullompton were the surprise package in last season’s competition, reaching the semi-finals with some notable scalps along the way, including Premier side Sandford.

Cully need a pick-me-up at the end of a difficult weeks that has seen hopes of bringing Tafara Mupariwa back to the club.

Mupariwa, a left handed batsmen and off spin bowler, was Cullompton's overseas player in 2016 and scored 591 runs at an average of 40.

Back home he plays for the Matabeleland Tuskers and has made 23 first class and 18 List A appearances. His visa has not come through in time for him to fly in from Zimbabwe for the UK season.

Sandford will parade new signings Sandy Allen, Neil Maud and Trevor Anning in the pool three round with Barton and Plympton.

“Sandy, Trev and Neil make their first starts for the club and I am looking forward to see what they have to offer,” said skipper Richard Foan.

“We still have some lads playing football, but it is a good opportunity for others to make a claim for first team cricket. 

“Should be a great way to kick the season off against two clubs we have had some great games against in the past.”

Barton have been active on the recruitment front during the winter, signing bowling all-rounder Rob Shergold from Paignton and batter George Northcott from Brixham.

Matt Crampton, Barton’s free-scoring South African, does not arrive until mid-week. He was key to earning promotion from the B Division last season.

Barton have also signed Aaron Hearne from Paignton, a former colt at Cricketfield Road who has been to Abbotskerswell as well on his travels.

Adam Parker, who continues as Barton captain, knows it will be a tough pool to be in.

“We are in with the big boys but a tough test is not such a bad thing for us at this stage of our preparations,” said Parker.

The action switches to Cornwood on Sunday where Budleigh Salterton and North Devon make up the group.