TEAMS from across Huntingdonshire started their seasons at the weekend in an array of leagues, from youth through to senior level. With the Cambs & Hunts Premier League feeding the East Anglian Premiership, Kimbolton and Ramsey have a chance to push for
TEAMS from across Huntingdonshire started their seasons at the weekend in an array of leagues, from youth through to senior level.
With the Cambs & Hunts Premier League feeding the East Anglian Premiership, Kimbolton and Ramsey have a chance to push for a play-off place to join the top-flight next season, whilst those teams in the Hunts County League have the chance to rise through the divisions.
In a season that promises to be entertaining and competitive, Hunts Cricket Board Development Consultant Kevin Clement also sees the potential for the youth game to thrive.
"There's a lot of youth cricket to look forward to, as well as the senior season," said Clement, "so all we need now is the weather."
This week the Hunts Post brings a round-up of the some of the local teams as well as match reports and the coming weekend's fixtures.
Eaton Socon
EATON Socon have introduced a development team this season with the intention of helping their best youth players make the difficult transition to the senior game.
The team will be a mixture of young and older players, a system which has been successful with the 1st XI.
Captain Terry day said of his team's prospects for the season:
"We were in the middle order last year but I feel promotion to the Hunts & Cambs League is within our capability."
Godmanchester Town
TOWN have recruited three new players this season, replacing last season's top-scoring batsman Jaques Du Toit as they attempt to improve on their seventh place in the East Anglian Premier League last year.
The new man with the tough task of opening the batting is Australian Sean Borlaise.
South African all-rounder Nathan Pearce and Army bowler David Wade have also joined the club.
Captain Bevis Moynan is in optimistic mood for the season.
"We're looking forward to getting out and playing," he said, "and if we perform to our best I feel a third or fourth place finish is realistic."
Ramsey
NEW Zealander Josh Brodie, a left-hand bat and right-arm off-spinner, joins Ramsey this year.
Jon Cade also returns to the fold, following a spell playing in London, as Ramsey attempt to build on previous good seasons in Division One of the Cambs & Hunts Premier League.
"We finished second last year," said captain Leighton Gilbert, "but we're determined this year and, if we can consistently field a strong team, hope to go one better this season."
Alconbury
ALCONBURY welcome back Alex Blake and Bruce Staines to the 1st XI as they push for success in Division One of the Hunts County League.
The team remains largely unchanged since last season, when they came second in the league.
"We're looking to push for a similar position this year", said captain Neil Suckling, "if not one better".
The second team will play in Division Four after last year's relegation, but with a young side they are hopeful of promotion.
Alconbury also have teams competing this season in the Coote Cup and Smith Barry Junior Cup.
St Ives
ST Ives welcome Matt Cooksey from Hemingford to the club this season as they attempt, led by captain Steve Smith, to break into the Hunts County League.
Currently playing in Cambridge Senior League One, the 1st XI also begin the defence of the Smith Barry Junior Cup.
Bluntisham
WITH the departure of overseas star-performer Clinton Bailey, Bluntisham are bringing talented young players into the team this season.
Paul Bigger and Richard Moore, both in their early twenties, are pushing their way into the squad, to the satisfaction of 1st XI captain Robert Coe.
"We looking to consolidate our position this year," said Coe, "and these players will help us do that.
"We finished mid-table last season, and we'd be happy with that this year," he added.
Results
Cambs & Hunts Premier League Division Two
Warelsey v Khalsa
WARESLEY bowled and batted superbly to beat Khalsa on Saturday by three runs for without losing a wicket.
Chris Asque's four wickets for 12 runs was the highlight of Waresley's spell of bowling as they dismissed the visitors for 58.
Asque then hit seven fours as he contributed 36 runs to his partnership with A McCarthy to give Waresley the win.
Rutland League Division One
Godmanchester v Ketton
GODMANCHESTER beat Ketton by five wickets after the visitors were dismissed for 211.
Dan Oldham was the pick of the bowlers with four for 27.
Sean Borlaise and Matt Durrant both scored 43 before a 66 from Matt Pateman secured the win.
Division Three Ramsey v Kings Keys
RAMSEY'S took a four-wicket win over Kings Keys.
A determined spell saw Ramsey dismiss Kings' batsmen for only 65 runs.
Jon Cade took five wickets for five runs off six overs, while T Clarke took four catches.
Kings took six wickets, three going for a duck, but Josh Brodie's 27 and contributions from captain Leighton Gilbert, Michael Kay and Matt Slack saw them on their way to victory.
Fixtures
6 May
Mildenhall v Godmanchester
Castor & Ailsworth v Waresley
Bluntisham v Sawston
Godmanchester 2nd XI v NCI
Kimbolton v Burwell
Ramsey v Cambridge St Giles
Upwood v Eaton Socon
Bharat Sports v Sawtry
Warboys v Huntingdon & District
Buckden v Kimbolton 2nd XI
Newborough v Alconbury
7 May
Godmanchester 1st XI Sunday v Market Deeping
Waresley v Long Marston
Offord v Ufford Park
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