01.05.2007

Royston Cricket Club

With all the great weather that we have been having recently, it seems hard to believe that for many clubs the cricket season only begins this weekend. That is the case for Royston's first and second teams, who start their campaigns on Saturday.

Whilst Royston have lost a number of key players - skipper Adam Newman, batsmen Will Graham and Rik Bentley have all moved to Cambridge club Camden following Royston's relegation from the Cambs and Hunts Premier League last season - there is still cause for optimism for both teams. During the winter the club has had an active recruitment drive, which has resulted in the signing of at least eight new players.

Whilst not all of the players will be playing first team cricket, it is great that we are able to pick the teams from an increased pool of players. They have come from a number of sources - a few are students, some people who have just moved into the town, some that we've attracted from other local clubs and a few that just have not played for a while but fancy taking up the game again.

What we've lost in those players that have moved club, we hope to gain in team spirit - certainly having the bulk of the team being based in and around Royston helps with the logistics of training, getting to and from matches and socialising, it has also created much more of a local feel to the club.

Although relegation was a disappointment, it may well be good for the club as I think we will have found a level where we can be competitive and look to really get the best out of some of our younger players who struggled last season. Whilst we will be missing some of our university-based players until the end of June, once they return I think we will be one of the stronger teams in the league. Until then, though, we have to do the best we can and push some of the stronger second team players through into the first team. As long as we can retain a nucleus of 6 or 7 regular first teamers we can base a pretty good team around those players.

The season opens on Saturday with both teams facing local opposition Foxton, with the first team playing at home at Therfield in the CCA Senior League and the seconds away at Foxton in Division 3SA.

It is not too late for any budding cricketers to join up at Royston Cricket Club - the club hold their last indoor practice session at the leisure centre on Wednesday from 7-8pm and then outdoor nets begin at Meridian School in Royston on Thursdays, starting May 11 from 6-8pm.

You can follow the fortunes of Royston's cricketers on their website, www.roystoncricketclub.co.uk

Richard Temple

Royston CC first team manager/secretary.