Kingfisher Beer Cup to begin

The first round of the Kingfisher Beer Cup, formerly known as the ECB National Club Championship, begins on Sunday, with last year's winners, Shrewsbury, beginning their quest to retain the title with a short trip to North Staffordshire & South Cheshire League side Stafford.

Shrewsbury are one of 256 clubs competing for the £5,000 first prize, with the final to be played at the County Ground in Derby on September 16. The 2011 runners-up, Cambridge Granta, will host competition newcomers Peterborough Town CC from the Northamptonshire Premier League. The full draw can be found here.

Graeme Swann, one professional to have graduated through the competition, fondly recalls his days in recreational cricket.

"My first senior club was Northampton Saints who I am still registered to today," Swann said. "The Saints used to play in the Cockspur Cup, who were the former sponsors. I remember facing Steve Ogrizevic, who was then Coventry's goalkeeper and who bowled fast for Coventry and North Warwicks CC when I was about 15. They were great days."

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