Young stars from Fives & Heronians will be among those padding up this weekend as they begin the defence of their under-16 Matchplay title.

The Chigwell side won the tournament last year, defeating Wanstead in the final, and they hope for a repeat performance in the 2000 campaign which gets underway on Sunday.

A total of 50 teams from around the Essex region have entered this year, divided into eight groups for the league stage with only the top team from each pool going through to the quarter-finals.

Wanstead will be among the favourites having reached the final in each of the last two years.

They had a young team in 1999 and have lost only three players, adding to their squad with new faces from last year's successful under-13 team.

Coach Steve Walters said: 'It looks like we have a very strong side with a few talented up and coming players.

'I would like to think that we can get to the final again and if so we will be hoping for third time lucky.

'The group stages are always tricky because you have to finish top so you can't afford to slip up.'

Wanstead's group includes 1993 winners Ardleigh Green and 1999 quarter-finalists Hockerill. Fives have been drawn in an easier group though they will have to face 1994 runners-up Leyton County.

Other teams to watch will be Buckhurst Hill, who reached the semis last time around, Hainault & Clayhall won won in 1995 and West Essex who have a strong team and are tipped to be the surprise package of Matchplay 2000.