BEAMINSTER are gunning for

promotion from the NSA Division One this season.

Led by captain Ian Hutchings, Beaminster just missed out last year, when they finished runners-up behind Blandford, after being in contention until the final few matches.

A couple of new additions have strengthened the squad for 2003 and Hutchings expects his team to be there or thereabouts come the end of August.

"We have a stronger squad of about 15 or 16 players and really we should be pushing for promotion," he said.

"Last year we were unlucky

to lose out to Blandford when we fell away in the last couple of games."

Australian all-rounder Kent Stone is back with the club after a two-year absence playing cricket in Yorkshire. Stone was one of the star performers during

his first spell with Beaminster, scoring almost 1,000 runs for both the first and second team in 2000.

Although 26-year-old Stone was born in Brisbane, he now qualifies as a home player and Hutchings believes he has improved since he came to England.

"Kent is a top quality player and he is even better having played over here for a few years and got used to the conditions," he said.

"But I don't want to put too much pressure on him or any of the players. We just have to take each game as it comes because there are no easy games. If we are there at the end of the season it will be great, but beyond that, we should try and enjoy the season."

Hutchings was also pleased to welcome back Rod Hansford to the club. The veteran played in the Saturday Premier League with Weymouth last season and should add some extra quality to the bowling attack.

The skipper expects Portland Red Triangle, relegated from the Premier League last season, and Suttoners, promoted from Division Two, to provide the stiffest opposition for Beaminster, who begin their campaign on May 3 against Weymouth Seconds, who also came up from Division Two.

"With the exception of Kent we are all local players and we have an excellent team spirit which keeps everyone together," said Hutchings.

Beaminster Seconds, captained by Paul Martin, begin their Sunday League Division Five season on at home to Branksome on May 4 and the under-16s and under-14s will be in action in the MidWessex Youth Leagues this season.

Beaminster first team squad: Ian Hutchings (capt), Simon Jones (vicecaptain), Richard Buglar (w/k), Kent Stone, John Watts, Chris Parks, Russell Hurford, Ross Baker, Rod Hansford,

Matt Hansford, Stuart Lindsay,

Fred Etherington, Phil Hawkins, Nick David.

DIVISION ONE FIXTURES

May

3 - Weymouth Seconds (h)

10 - Compton House (h)

17 - Marnhull (a)

24 - Bournemouth & OBs (h)

31 - West Moors (h)

June

7 - Suttoners (h)

14 - Sherborne (a)

21 - Portland RT (h)

28 - Wayfarers (a)

July

5 - Weymouth Seconds (a)

12 - Compton House (a)

19 - Marnhull (h)

26 - Bournemouth & OBs (a)

August

2 - West Moors (h)

9 - Suttoners (a)

16 - Sherborne (h)

23 - Portland RT (a)

30 - Wayfarers (h)