A view from behind the stumps – Joe Martin
We asked the resident floppy haired wicket keeper to give us a seasons preview. This is what he said;
Well, after an eventful season, this year is being touted as one of the best ones yet, with players coming and going from different teams. We seem unchanged really and looking to build on a decent season last year, where if we had had a little more luck possibly a few more wins may have come our way, hopefully with more cups for the team and more runs on my behalf. I should be better this year, as I will be able to see. Anyway the team seem to be working very hard at boxing and I am sure they will at the nets coming up too. I cannot be at the boxing due to university commitments, but will be at the nets and I am looking forward to the new season.
As I have said earlier the season this year is going to be better and competitive, but the emphasis is still on us to perform in whatever way we can. We were too inconsistent last year and were reliant on individuals a lot of the time instead of relying on the team. So hopefully this year, the team will be more consistent and some of the other players including myself will join the players who performed so well; Jonny and Blez and Paddy on a bowling front requiring a special note of how they played last year.
We have signed a good pro this year and will hopefully emulate what Frankie has done over the last three years. It will be good however, to gain a new perspective on things and some different ideas of who we should play. He has a wealth of experience and so should offer some new ideas on how we should play and prepare.
It is remarkable to say that, despite what we have achieved we are still a team learning our game as a team and as individuals. Its a cliche, yet is an appropriate one, but the players are a year older and a year wiser and should be used to playing we pressure, the key to this season will be transferring the pressure into performance and not to be overawed by what standards that we have set, but possibly let slip last year ever so slightly.
Finally, I hope to see many of the same faces at the club cheering us on as they have done for many years. It is a real lift to see the fans young and old(er) watching us play whatever the weather and we hope as team not only to produce performances for our team but for the fans too. So not ling until the season will be upon and we wish to achieve similar results to that of the last few years.
