Payner's skip for Weymouth (From Dorset Echo)

Payner's skip for Weymouth

9:14am Wednesday 30th December 2009 in

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DORSET Premier League winning captain Paul Payne is to return as skipper next year for Weymouth.

He has already begun forming his squad for the new season by the signing of Kiwi left arm bowler Andrew Falloon, and other transfer targets are on the horizon.

Payne stepped down as skipper a couple of years ago as he was also organising the tour of New Zealand, where they first met Falloon, but has always been keen on a return to the job, an opportunity handed to him after Jim Ryall decided not to continue in the role.

“I did it for two years and I’ve always said I wanted to do it again,” said Payne. “It just felt the right time to step back in.

“We are not looking too far ahead just yet but winning the Dorset Premier League again would be fantastic.

“However, every captain in the league has the ambition to win it so we’ll just take it one step at a time.”

Payne expects his side to be back in the nets in the third week of January, after he has had a minor shoulder operation that shouldn’t take too long to heal.

And he is looking forward to linking up with Falloon and some new signings, if he can get them in, but expects the majority of the squad to remain the same.

“We will still have the same core of players, there is no one we’ve lost,” he said.

Meanwhile, players and coaches have been warned to watch their comments about match officials next year by the introduction of a new rule.

Former Weymouth captain Ryall was adjudged to have brought the game into disrepute after criticising the umpire following their defeat to Stalbridge.

Although Ryall apologised he was subsequently banned, but it has led to the Dorset Cricket Board bringing in a new rule.

Weymouth secretary Michael Pearce said: “If we have a repetition of last year then not only will the individual be fined and banned but the team will get docked 20 points as well.”

n Dorchester and District Read Woodruff Evening Cricket League will hold its annual general meeting on Thursday, January 21, at Dorchester Town Football Club’s Jewson Stadium (7pm).

All member clubs must be represented at the meeting and new clubs are always welcome to sign up to the league.

Any new clubs wishing to join should call results secretary Paula Rolls on 756420.