Godmanchester Town captain Matt Pateman truly believes his side have a real chance of winning the Tucker Gardner Premier League this season.
Having finished third behind Wisbech Town and Ramsey last year, Pateman says the squad at The Parks is again strong – maybe even stronger – and the team will mount a serious challenge for the top spot.
Goddy opened their campaign with a straightforward defeat of Warboys on Saturday – and the captain told The Hunts Post: “Our chances of the title are the best on paper in my time as first team captain.
“This will be my fourth year and I believe the side is looking strong – if not stronger than last season, there is certainly more strength in depth.
“I hope and expect us to be challenging for the title again this season.”
Last season, it was the Indian bowler Chethan William who shone for Goddy; this season the team has turned to William’s compatriot Kiran Adhav, who was Burwell’s star overseas player in the East Anglian Premier League in 2013.
Adhav was impressive taking six wickets for the loss of 21 runs in 10.3 overs against Warboys. “Kiran took 60 wickets in the East Anglian Premier League last year – and made 580 runs,” said Patemen.
“And we have welcomed back to the club Paul Swannell and Matt Durrant as well as Mark Askew from St Ives and a couple of other new faces.”
Talking about their impressive opening day win, Pateman said: “At 50 for one off nine it was looking a lot tougher than I expected, but past that Warboys didn’t put up much resistance and Kiran’s guile, change of flight and pace was probably too good for them if I am being honest.
“We knocked it off comfortably despite three fairly soft dismissals. And I was obviously happy to get a few runs not out myself.”
It was a baptism of fire for Warboys after they sneaked into the second automatic promotion place in Division Two last season. Once their initial flurry of runs dried up, the wickets fell dramatically.
The captain, Leighton Gilbert, said: “Playing Tucker One cricket will be a massive challenge for Warboys but one we’re very excited about. We have a young side and it will be a great experience for our boys to be up against some of the best players in the county.
“James Trafford, Dan Malem and Ollie King have all joined us over the winter.
“I don’t think we’ll be up there challenging for the title but we’ll play positive cricket, enjoy ourselves, and hopefully surprise a few people along the way.”
Pateman agrees. The Godmanchester captain said: “I think Warboys will struggle against the stronger sides – the Ramseys and the Wisbeches – but they will give some of the rest a run for their money.”
Tomorrow, Godmanchester are at home to Sawston, while Warboys are away at Wisbech Town – another tough game for the new boys. Top-of-the-table Warseley are at home to Histon and Ramsey are at March Town.
In Division Two, St Ives are at home to Khalsa and Eaton Socon are away at Fordham.
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