Burnham Sports cricket club begin new league campaigns this weekend after what has been a topsy-turvy close season.
The 1st XI travel to Galleywood for their opening Mid-Essex League first division fixture, while the 2nd XI began their eighth division campaign with a home match against St Johns Billericay. Both games are 45 overs per side and are scheduled to start at 1.30pm.
Then, 24 hours later, Sports will make club history by hosting Terling (start 2pm) in the fourth division of the newly created Warsop Stebbing Central Essex Sunday League. Previously, Burnham have only played friendlies on a Sunday.
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Sports have gained several new recruits since the end of last season but, on the minus side, will be missing several familiar faces.
Positives are that brothers Robin Whittaker and Dominic Whittaker have joined from Tillingham, while former players Tim Melton, Piggy Carrington and Gareth Hare have been teased out of premature retirement by Richard Melton, who will again be skippering the reserves.
However, Burnham will have to cope without leading all-rounder John Chick, who has returned to play for Witham, his home club. Dave Lucy, the 1st XI captain and wicket-keeper, faces an indefinite spell on the sidelines after requiring surgery on an injured arm, while Grant Smith, second only to Chick in the batting ranks last year, is unlikely to return until the end of May at the earliest after having a knee operation.
To make matters worse, young all-rounder Billy Clark is also out after injuring knee ligaments while playing rugby this month.
Jamie Hamilton will captain the 1st XI in Lucy's absence, with Dominic Whittaker taking over behind the stumps. There will be extra pressure on such as Joel Whittaker and Paul Green to score heavily with the bat - the pair averaged 38 and 30 respectively in the league last year - while hopes are high that youngsters such as Ali Allchin and Sayeid Ahmed will build on the promise of the past couple of seasons.
Left-handed all-rounder David Bridge will make a welcome return to the firsts, while the senior trio of Karl Barnes, Neil Saunders and Andy Stephens are all back for more.
Galleywood are sure to provide tough opening-day opposition, having been relegated from the Premier League last year despite winning five matches.
Burnham's 2nd XI suffered the anguish of missing out on promotion last summer on the final day of the season. Melton will be hoping his new recruits help him put the record straight this time round, but he will have to do without wicket-keeper Simon Turnnidge for the first fortnight of the new term because of football commitments.
Steve Rees-Evans has taken over as Sunday captain. He is looking forward to the challenge and will be looking to for a blend of experienced players and colts over the months ahead.
Meanwhile, club president Dave Gamble will spearhead a new colts section. Training for youngsters will begin in the middle of May.
Burnham are always keen to hear from anyone interested in joining them. Contact Neil Saunders, the club's secretary, on 01621 784182 for more information.
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