MARTINSTOWN Cricket Club is looking forward to hosting Premier Two cricket this season at their Lower Ashton ground.

With two adult Saturday teams and an abundance of youth cricket, the club continues to go from strength to strength and boasts fantastic facilities and an inclusive cricket-for-all philosophy.

The first XI will compete with Sherborne, Dorchester and Bere Regis to name but a few local teams in a strong Premier Two League while the second XI will continue to encourage youth cricket with Colin Crossthwaite at the helm in Division Five, with a concerted effort to introduce younger players into the longer format of the game.

“Danny Dancer has done a great job as skipper over the last few seasons and will be a difficult act to follow,” said newly-appointed first-team captain Ed Nichols. “However, I’m really looking forward to the challenge of leading a young squad of talented and committed cricketers in what looks to be a strong division.

“I encourage all players, both new and old, to attend indoor and outdoor training sessions so we can hit the ground running.

“We are already hosting a pre-season fixture against South-ampton University on Sunday, April 20 and hopefully more will follow.”

Meanwhile, Rob O’Brien steps up as Dorchester Evening League Twenty20 captain and will be looking to play attacking cricket in light of the latest rule changes for the league.

As ever, the club will also be providing friendly cricket both on Sundays and in midweek games.

Lee House co-ordinates the ever-popular youth section with age ranges from under-9s softball right through to under-18s.

The club runs training on Wednesday nights and will be offering some under-9 fixtures this year and first-class coaching from the club coaches (Level One and Two) and some sessions run in conjunction with West Dorset head coach Sean Fitzgerald.

The club has started its adult and youth nets on Thursday evenings at Thomas Hardye School. New players are welcome to attend and the club looks forward to a successful season.

For any more enquiries, email Lee House or Matt Rimmer (therealmcc@hotmail.co.uk).