THE 2016 Baker Cup is nearly ready for take-off now that the 20 competing sides have been confirmed, writes competition secretary David Derrick.

This season sees the 79th consecutive season the Taunton area’s own T20 competition has been held and it remains a popular competition.

There is a third tier for the first time and details of this will be formulated at a management committee meeting next week ahead of the AGM on Wednesday, March 2, at Taunton CC, starting at 7.30pm.

The Baker Cup will start on Monday, May 9, with four preliminary round matches between the eight lowest seeded sides and will then proceed, using the next two Mondays, to get to the last four stage which will be hosted at Taunton CC on Monday, June 6, and Taunton Deane CC on Tuesday, June 7, leading to the final at Somerset CCC on Wednesday, June 22.

The Terry Mockridge Memorial Shield is likely to be directed at those eight sides which lose in the first round - a concept that next week’s meeting will debate and decide on.

Both semi-finals will be hosted by Wellington CC and the final will be at Staplegrove CC.

A new as yet unnamed third tier trophy will be on offer now the competing pool quantity for 2016 is known.