MARLBOROUGH captain Richard Holman is hoping that his side’s newfound strength in depth can provide a springboard back up to the third tier of the Davis Wood League.

Marlborough notched up just four victories last term as they finished second-from-bottom in the Conference North and after suffering relegation, Holman’s men are looking to bounce straight back.

And their skipper is hoping that his team, who kick off their Central One division campaign with a home clash against Team Bath Buccaneers this weekend, have a healthier talent pool to dip into this season as they look to regain their Conference status.

“No disrespect to the players but last year, if we were missing a few guys, it really showed,” said Holman.

“I think that we’ve got a lot more strength in depth this year, which is something that we definitely lacked last season.

“We’ve had a few players that have come back from university, a few new adults that have moved to the area and a few youngsters that have come up through the ranks – hopefully, we’ll be a stronger side this year.

“Last season was obviously disappointing and the aim is to try and get straight back up. We think we should be in that division but we’ve got to go out and prove it.”

Marlborough will be joined in the Central One by Chippenham, who finished eighth in the table last year.

Ben Pitman-Jones’ side kick off the new season with a trip to Yeovil and Sherborne.

Last season’s champions Devizes have waved goodbye to Central One and will be launching an assault on the Conference North this year, with the Bath Road outfit getting underway by hosting Firebrands A this weekend.

Wootton Bassett are also plying their trade at a higher level this season, with Matt Daniell’s team getting used to life in the Central Two division.

Bassett put all comers to the sword last term as they emphatically took the East Central One crown with ease, smashing home a whopping 202 goals as they tasted victory in won all but one of their fixtures.

Daniell’s men go to Keynsham on Saturday.

  • In the West Clubs Women’s League, last season’s North Division champions Marlborough get their new season under way this weekend, with a derby clash against Chippenham first up for the Premier Division 2A new-girls.

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