WEYMOUTH began their NSA Dorset Premier Division campaign on Saturday exactly where they left off last season - at home to Poole.

The Seasiders went into that final game of the 2002 summer with a chance of being crowned cham-pions and skipper Hugh Lawes is calling for a repeat performance.

On that occasion, the Redlands outfit lost out to the visitors whose five wicket victory was enough to ensure the title went back to Poole Park.

Lawes said: "On the opening day of last season, our objective was to still be in with a chance of winning the league on the final Saturday and we managed to achieve just that.

"Obviously the result was disappointing but we'll be out to put that right on Saturday and in many ways I'm pleased to playing one of the top sides on the opening day of the season.

"Our objectives for this summer are no different. We again want to be in there with a chance come the final day of the season and there's no reason why we can't be again."

The Seasiders are many people's favourites to win the 2003 championship and that despite having lost the services of highly talented South African fast bowler, Siraag Abrahams.

The Springbok youngster has signed a professional contract with state side, Boland and moves to bring in an overseas replacement have so far failed.

But despite this obvious set-

back, Weymouth have a squad packed full of talent including schoolboy pace bowler Dan Belt.

The Puddletown teenager has just returned from a tour of the West Indies with the West of England representative side and Lawes is predicting great things from the

15-year-old.

He said: "We will miss Siraag and his awesome pace, but everyone at the club is delighted for him and we wish him well in the professional game. We are still in talks with Peter Kirsten who runs the Western Province Academy in South Africa and we're hopeful of getting an overseas player over before too long.

"With Siraag gone, it gives players like Dan Belt the chance to shine and I've no doubt he's going to be a big force in the years to come. He's an exceptional talent who has just enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to the West Indies and I think he'll make a big impact in the Premier Division this season."

Weymouth's squad is largely the same as last year although they do have a couple of new signings within their ranks.

All-rounder Chris Knight looked impressive on his debut against Winchester last weekend, while Dorset medium pacer Dave Trotter is back with the club he helped win the title in 2000.

"Chris and Trotts are both very useful acquisitions," added Lawes, "and they add to what is already a squad of real quality.

"The team spirit and commitment at the club is as good as I've ever known and I proud to have a group of lads who would run through brick walls for their town.

"We're starting off with a few injuries and a couple of unavailabilities, so the first few weeks of the season are going to be tough. But once we get through that little period I'm sure we'll go on to have a very successful summer."

PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES

May

3 - Poole Town (h)

10 - Blandford (a)

17 - Dorchester (h)

24 - Broadstone (a)

31 - Hamworthy Rec (h)

June

7 - Wimborne (a)

14 - Colehill (h)

21 - Parley (a)

28 - Stalbridge (a)

July

5 - Poole Town (a)

12 - Blandford (h)

19 - Dorchester (a)

26 - Broadstone (h)

August

2 - Hamworthy Rec (a)

9 - Wimborne (h)

16 - Colehill (a)

23 - Parley (h)

30 - Stalbridge (h)