WEYMOUTH vice-captain Simon Browne has praised Seasiders’ skipper Harry Mitchell for his contribution to the club since taking over the reins before the 2018 season.

Coming into the current campaign, Mitchell had had little captaincy experience but Weymouth were in need of a new leader after Browne revealed he could not continue in the role full-time.

The Seasiders have since built both an off and on-field support network for Mitchell to guide him into the position, in which Browne feels the young all-rounder has flourished.

He told Echosport: “We’ve chucked him in at the deep end as a committee and as a group, mainly because we had to.

“I wasn’t in a position to captain the side and some of the more experienced players like Payner (Paul Payne), Janners (Dean Janaway) and Tommy (England) weren’t able to commit.

“It was a case of Harry taking it or we’d have to make do with one captain one week and a different one the next.

“As a club we’re indebted to him taking it on, he’s done a fantastic job. It’s been a shot in the arm having a young skipper in charge. We’ve tried to talk to him off the field and he’s had advice from GP (Graham Puckett) on the pitch.

“The club is grateful for him taking it on and he’s actually doing a great job.”

Under Mitchell, Weymouth have emerged as one of five teams in County Division Two chasing promotion, with their four wins from seven games seeing them occupy fifth in the table ahead of a trip to leaders Wimborne & Colehill Seconds on Saturday.

But Mitchell was irritated after last weekend’s comprehensive seven-wicket loss to Marnhull, a symptom Browne believes is inherent within the role.

He said: “Saturday was a blip and he was getting frustrated – that’s all part and parcel of taking it on, but he’s been a breath of fresh air.

“He’s brought in new players, and new ideas. We realise that as a club we’ve had to take stock and the results have been hit and miss

n continued on page 53

with the relegation. It’s going to be a transition period for the club for a few years.

“A lot of credit should go to Harry for taking the responsibility and doing what he’s done. He’s brought John Wilson in and he’s scored some good runs and Lloyd Beals opening the bowling.

“Even at training when I took it there’s been eight or nine players there. Last week there was 17. He’s getting that enthusiasm into it.”

Browne believes that Weymouth’s season will not be a failure should they miss out on an immediate return to County Division One.

He said: “Results aren’t everything. If we have a relatively good season in Div Two and don’t go up, it will give us a foundation to go up next year.

“It’s about getting people participating and enjoying their cricket. The second team have had an issue with availability but seeing 17 or 18 people at nets should make things easier.

“Harry’s been a big part of that so he deserves a lot of credit.”