Royal Command

TOM Wallbridge has no qualms about being named Burbage & Easton Royal’s new captain just weeks ago as he looked to get stuck in to his side’s first season in the West of England Premier League.

James Beaumont, who had skippered the side for the last two years, has emigrated to Bermuda, leaving 23-year-old all-rounder Wallbridge to step up.

“I’d been vice-captain for a little while so I’ve been in charge a few times and it’s not too much of a problem for me,” said Wallbridge.

“It’s our first-ever season in the WEPL and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s exciting times for the club.”

Head coach Paul Lavis said: “It’s a shame that James had to leave because he’d worked so hard to get the team into this league over the last two years.”

Three seasons ago, Burbage were relegated from Division One of the Wiltshire League before storming back with two promotions in two years.

Wallbridge saw his side go unbeaten last season but admits that their winning streak may not last too much longer in the higher league.

“Getting to this league has always been a big aim for us and over the last five years, we’ve worked hard and achieved that,” he said.

“I think even we were shocked at going unbeaten last year and it’ll be hard to carry that on but we want to make sure we don’t get into the habit of losing.

“We’re a young side and we’ll probably have a bit of inexperience but staying at that level will be our goal.”

Opening batsman Sourish Muhkerjee has joined Burbage, who kick off their season at home to Malmesbury.

Stefan looking locally

STEFAN Tyrie is looking forward to carrying on the good work at Wootton Bassett and help mould the next generation of ‘Bassett Boys’.

The former second team skipper is taking over as first team captain from Juggy Chahal this season and wants to continue the development of a side made up of local players.

“In the past, we’ve had the likes of Neil Twine and Roddy Smith, who were Bassett boys, and we’re looking to try to keep that going with the young players who are at the club now,” said Tyrie.

“We haven’t really brought anyone in but players like Ali Wood, Anis Ali, Jack Paish, Dan Ellis and Sam Lawro have all stayed.”

New faces for Lodge

THERE have been ins and outs at Marshfield as the club try to bounce back from relegation last summer.

The club have lost young wicketkeeper Patrick Grieshaber to Bath and teenage bowler Ben Gardner to Corsham, but coming in is opening bowler Dave Nelson, also from Bath.

He is joined by all-rounder Nick Twist, from Limpley Stoke.

Skipper Russell Lodge said: “We’ve had a few go off to other clubs but hopefully we can be knocking on the door.

“We came down last year but sometimes it’s about taking a step back to go two steps forward.

“We have quite a few young players at the club and we’d like to get them involved this season.’’

Spye facing second year

SPYE Park will be looking to build on their first ever season in the West of England Premier League when their new Wiltshire Division campaign gets underway.

Rich Bowater’s side were promoted from the Wiltshire League in 2010 and finished eighth in their debut season in the Wiltshire Division of the WEPL last summer.

Park are due to get their campaign underway with the short trip to local rivals Devizes this weekend.

Palmer can be Great

BEDWYN skipper Dan Swatton hopes Rob Palmer’s batting will again lay the platform for his side’s Wiltshire Division campaign.

Swatton said: “Rob’s the best batsman in the division and I’m hopeful we’ll have lots of runs from him.

“We finished in mid-table last year but I’m hoping for a finish in the top three this time.

“There are exciting things happening at the club and we’ve had planning permission to build a new pavillion.’’

Charlie Knight has stepped up from Wiltshire League side Collingbourne to feature for Bedwyn.

Joe looks upwards

DEVIZES captain Joe Wookey says his remit is simply to improve on last year’s disappointing campaign.

Wookey’s men finished second-from-bottom in the Wiltshire Division.

He said: “We had a poor season and I think we’d be the first to admit that.

“We had quite a lot of tight games where we were in a winning position but threw them away and that’s something we need to try and not do this season.

“I think we’ve learned from it so we’re looking for an improvement.”

Devizes have snapped up Chris Downham from Calne, as well as adding Avebury’s Will Thomas and former Warminster man Ollie Sloan.

Wookey’s side host Spye Park in their season opener.

More of the same

MALMESBURY captain James Pearce-Smith says that a carbon copy of his side’s last season would satisfy him this summer.

The 43-year-old batsman takes over as skipper from Tom Pickering, who is one of three players to have left the club ahead of the new campaign.

Rob Gillespie and Phil Jordan have also left Malmesbury and Pearce-Smith said: “I was quite happy with what we achieved last season.

“We had a lot of close games and we could have finished quite close to fourth place.

“We’ve lost a few players in key areas so I’m not sure how we’re going to cope with that but hopefully we can. If we were to have a similar season to last year, that would be okay.”

Malmesbury were sixth in the Wiltshire Division last season.

Trio boost Crabbe

MARLBOROUGH’S hopes of challenging at the top end of the Wiltshire Division have been lifted by the return of three players.

Batsmen Peter Day and Tom Norris and all-rounder Nathan Morgan are all available to new captain Nick Crabbe, who has taken over from Arron Dickinson, for a second spell.

Crabbe said: “Peter, Tom and Nathan are all proven first team performers who will add real strength to our batting line up.

“Coupled with the signing of Neil Edwards, it gives us real strength in depth.’’

Crabbe, whose side open their campaign away at Marshfield, also hopes to develop promising young talent such as Cam Gordan, Harrison Painter and Duncan Lorrain throughout the campaign.

He added: “They will provide an excellent blend of youth and experience in the first team.’’