The most interesting of these is the match at Gallows Corner, where a shock is very possible between the winners last year Gidea Park and their locals rivals Hornchurch. These two met in last season's Semi-Final where Gidea won en route to winning the cup, but the close season has seen several departures from Gallows and with Hornchurch having the opposite of recruiting players, this is surely the tie of the round and a very possible shock also.

As many will know by now, former Kiwi Test player Chris Drum has joined the Harrow Lodge Park outfit for the season. Drum retired from Test cricket after the series vs England and with Hornchurch also capturing former Gidea opener Simon Jones and all-roudner Chris Sains, Hornchurch look strong.

Gidea as said have lost some major players and their chances this summer will reply on a handful of experience members, including Essex staffers Barry Hyam and Andy Clarke, plus captain Russell Collard and Andy Churchill, thought after that it's a little weak.

The only player in for Gidea has been Jannie Dryer, the South African fast bowler from Fives, whereas the service of former Essex man Andy Hibbert and Luke Baker have gone to live in Australia and Simon Jones and Ed Buxton (my brother!), who has left to join Old Parkonians, have all departed.

If there is going to be a shock today look no further than this match. With Hornchurch having Drum and Jones against his old club to spice things up, the fact that the Harrow Lodge club want revenge for last season's Semi, plus Gidea losing key players, a Hornchurch win is very much in the picture.

Another interesting looking tie is that at Valentines Park, where Ilford of division 1 meet Upminster of division 2.

Since entering the league back in 1999, Upminster have seen all their league sides rise up from division 3 to the Premier, except their 1st XI, who have under-achieved.

But, hope springs enternal and with new captain Paul Brockman in charge plus some old hands and youngsters, Upminster will be wanting to prove themselves this year. Ilford aren't the force they were either, so this could be another shock.

This could be another shock, involving my club Old Parkonians, who travel to Shenfield.

Old Parks have strengthened their side since winning promotion easily back from division 3 to division 2, with former Ilford and Durham bastman Muzim Ali joining. Also, although not playing today, all-rounder Ed Buxton has joined from Gidea Park and former Billericay batter Richard Swiles also has joined and so things look good, with the likes of captain Prem Mannar, Kris Bostock and Kieran Jones all playing.

Despite being Premier league, Shenfield have lost some key players, in former Essex youngster Jonathan Powell, expierienced Phil Bird and prolific Roy Smith and so are slightly weak and have gone out early last couple of season's to lower division clubs, including Old Brentwoods, so another possible shock in on.

Other exciting games on store are Horndon vs Hutton, Orsett vs Old Brentwoods, Westcliff vs last season's runners-up Walthamstow and Chingford vs Loughton, all of which could produce shocks and could also be belters.

The full list of SNEL Cup 1st Round matches tomorrow are as follows, with my potential shocks/cracking matches in bold:

Fives & Heronians vs West Essex
Harlow vs Woodford Green
Epping vs Hadleigh & Thundersley
Hainault & Clayhall - Get a bye into Round 2
Ilford vs Upminster
Ardleigh Green vs Woodford Wells
Billericay vs Stanford-Le-Hope
Saffron Walden vs Ongar
Shenfield vs Old Parkonians
Horndon-On-The-Hill vs Hutton
Chelmsford vs Leigh-On-Sea
Gidea Park & Romford vs Hornchurch
Colchester & East Essex vs Harold Wood
Orsett vs Old Brentwoods
Old Southendians vs Brentwood
Westcliff-On-Sea vs Walthamstow
Chingford vs Loughton
South Woodford vs Southend-On-Sea

As for the rest of us club cricketers (like myself!) we'll be playing in the 2nd or 3rd XI in friendly matches in preparation for the coming league season.

'Scimitars' will be bringing you the results, scores and reports once we have them within the next week.