 |
| Jimmy Phillips is back for Horspath this season |
The club defied the odds in a remarkable finish to the 2017 campaign, avoiding relegation with a ten-wicket win at Great & Little Tew, who were condemned to the drop. Now Will is keen to see Horspath consolidate their place in the top flight.
He said: "I think firstly to achieve what we set out to do last year was fantastic in terms of staying up. Obviously it got a bit closer than we would have liked with the final couple of games and we had to pull it out of the bag in the final game, but we achieved what we wanted to.
"This season will obviously be tough as well, but I think it is really important that we don't just look at surviving. We have got to aim to finish one or two places above where we did in 2017 and set targets as we go along."
The close season has seen a number of new arrivals at the Recreation Ground. South African all-rounder Darryl Brown has joined as the club's overseas player, while left-arm seamer Liam Manley has arrived from Tew. Oxford MCCU's Elliot Miles and Will Robertson, who are currently with Jersey in the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 tournament in Malaysia, have also signed. Wicket-keeper Will Hawtin will be available next month following his university commitments, having moved from Banbury. In addition, batsman Jimmy Phillips is back after being unavailable last year mainly due to work.
Reflecting on the squad, the captain said: "I am really pleased with it. There's been a bit of a change in personnel. We will have five new faces come the middle of June within the squad and we have Jimmy Phillips back as well. So that's six new players looking to play first-team cricket which should make people within the squad know they have got to perform to get into the side.
"If they don't perform they will be in the twos and they will have to put in performances to get back in the ones and that's got to benefit the firsts and the seconds. I feel we have more depth than we have ever really had. We have not got any superstars, but people who work hard for each other and that counts for a lot."
Will is eyeing a positive start at Slough, although he is fully aware the Bucks club will be tough opponents. "Slough have a great history in Division 1," he said. "I don't think we have ever beaten them. We came close to beating them away last season and if we put in a good performance we will be there or thereabouts. The key will be how both teams start in the game. If we get off to the best start it will set us up nicely. I think we have a nicely-balanced side and hopefully we will get points on the board."
Brown and Manley are set to make their league debuts for Horspath, and the captain is delighted to have Phillips back in the side. "It was tricky for him last year," said Will. "He was working the majority of Saturdays and he had just bought a house as well, but in training he looks as if he has never been away.
"The new players have got to get to know him, but for the old guard it is great to see him back and batting the way he always does. We have got to give him chance to get into it and there is no pressure on him. I am sure he will have a good season."
Horspath: Coleman, R Eason, Fitzjohn, Phillips, Brown, Cosford, W Eason (capt), Skelton, Faruq, Belcher, Manley.
Posted by: Russ