Seasiders prepare (From Dorset Echo)

Seasiders prepare

8:52am Thursday 4th February 2010 in

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WEYMOUTH have begun preparations for the new Dorset Premier League season with net sessions at the Osprey Centre, Portland.

First-team skipper Paul Payne, out of action until early April as he recuperates from a shoulder injury, was present to see his charges being put through their paces by head coach Sean Fitzgerald for the first time.

New Zealander Andrew Falloon has not linked up with the team yet but he has completed the paperwork back in his home country to allow him to travel to England to play for Weymouth this summer.

“It was good,” said Payne. “It’s early days so it was more of getting everyone loose. It’s a bit early to tell about batting and bowling – it was just a case of getting everyone going.”

The Seasiders open up their 2010 campaign with a tricky trio of games – at home to Poole Town on May 1, away at Wimborne on May 8 and at home to rivals Dorchester on May 15.

However, Payne does not believe the fixture list should have too much impact on his side’s fortunes this season.

“We start and finish at home, which is nice, but there is also a run where we have four out of five away in the middle of season,” he said.