DORSET 50+ Cricket Club are returning to nets training tonight and are looking to attract new players.

With the continued sponsorship of J&G Environmental, the club's committee met at their sponsor's head offices in Blandford to discuss the 2018 season.

Club chairman Steve Webb said that he welcomed the sponsorship for both the England Cricket Board (ECB) and the Southern Counties Seniors Championship (SCSC) teams for another year.

He added that the financial support helps in providing clothing, match balls, travelling fees and without the help of businesses such as J&G we would certainly struggle as a club.

Club manager Ian Paulley reported that many of the fixtures for ECB and SCSC had been arranged for the 2018 season with opposition being provided by teams such as Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Wight.

He pointed out that all home games unlike previous years would now be played in Dorset at venues such as Wimborne, Shillingstone and Dorchester.

Club secretary David Trotter added that the club was looking to attract new players and had hoped that with home games being played locally than potential players might be interested in joining Dorset 50+.

He also highlighted that indoor nets are commencing today, at St Osmund’s School, Dorchester from 8-9.30pm.

He said that all current and potential new players would be very welcomed to attend the nets.

2018 ECB captain Tim Cowley and the SCSC skipper Chris Dunk reflected on the 2017 season and agreed that despite the numerous injuries suffered by the club that both sides acquitted themselves very well in both competitions in reaching the knockout stages.

It is the new captain’s aspirations that both teams would be very competitive during the 2018 season in their respective competitions.

The committee made special mention and acknowledgement of the achievements of the Dorset Minor Counties coach Paul Pritchard who was outstanding during the 2017 season.

The former Essex star played six games scoring 536 runs with an average of 134.

However, it was understood that Pritchard had finally decided to hang up his bat.

Trotter stressed that if any active senior player of 49 plus or heading that way and available for midweek or weekend cricket should contact him on davidtrots@yahoo.co.uk for details of nets or simply check out the dorsetover50s.teamapp.com or the club website at dorset50plus.co.uk.