Goatacre challenge

GOATACRE club captain Sam Parish says that his side are as confident as ever ahead of the new season but admits they are stepping into unknown territory in the Premier Two division.

Craig Gibbens has led Goatacre to two titles and two successive promotions in the last two campaigns and they now find themselves in the second-highest tier of the West of England Premier League.

Parish’s side have retained the same personnel that saw comfortably top of the Glos/Wilts Division last summer and the Goatacre wicket keeper is looking forward to the challenge of their new level.

“It’s very exciting for us because we’d been in the Glos/Wilts before last season, so we knew what we were dealing with but apart from two or three individuals, nobody has played in the Premier Two before,” said Parish.

“In the past, we’ve been told that there’s a big gap between the two leagues but over the last five years, sides have seemed to go up there and hold their own, so we don’t really know what to expect.

“But success breeds success and confidence breeds confidence, so everybody’s feeling great at the moment and thinks we’ll be able to hold our own.

“We seem to have kept the same side that we had last year and that consistency can really help us.”

Goatacre begin their new Premier Two campaign with a trip to Keynsham.

Lee draws strength

NEW Chippenham captain Lee Ward thinks his side’s strength in depth will be the key to success this season.

The 30-year-old all-rounder has taken over from Paul Bates and has added the likes of Steve Silk, Pete Sykes, Tom Davis and Rich Harrison to his squad.

He said: “I’ve been with the club for five or six years and it’s always something that I’ve wanted to do.

“There’s quite a bit extra that comes with the role but I’m looking forward to do it and I’m quite honoured too.

“We’ve brought in a lot of new players and I think we’ll have a lot more depth this season.

“It’s created competition for places and the players that were already at the club are have wanted to impress in pre-season because they want to be in the team. I think that will really help us.”