NEW Weymouth skipper Harry Mitchell has backed his improving side ahead of the Seasiders' opening County Division Two trip to Kingston Lacy today (1.30pm).

Mitchell has taken over the captaincy from Simon Browne, who will mentor the spinner this season with a view to taking the role permanently.

And Mitchell is excited for the season ahead following Weymouth's relegation from Division One last term.

He told Echosport: "This year if we can just get consistency in our players there'll be no reason why we can't challenge.

"We've got the calibre of player to do it. The young guys aren't young guys any more, they're proper first team players.

"With Lloyd (Beals) and John Wilson in the team they've added real strength. Lloyd with his pace and ability to hit the ball late in the innings and John is a genuine batter who will add depth to the batting in the top five.

"I'm really excited to see Dom Webb batting at three. He's going to be the main man this year and if we can all bat around him he'll show us the class player that he is."

Weymouth warmed up for today's clash with a six-wicket friendly loss to Portland Red Triangle at Redlands, but Mitchell drew positives from the encounter, with opening batsman Paul Collins making 41 of Weymouth's 85-8.

He said: "Everyone bowled well and Paul at the top batted with good composure. He took on the spinner and showed a new dimension to his batting, and we fielded well."

n Weymouth Seconds host Royal Challengers Sports at Wey Valley School in County Division Five today.