It has been a very busy and successful winter off the field for the club and we're really looking forward to this coming season. The 1st XI will look to consolidate in the upper tier of the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division, whilst the 2nd XI look to push on for promotion. 

Last September we enjoyed a landmark end of season dinner at Broadway Golf Club. Guest speaker, former England batsman Graham Thorpe, presented the awards and comedian, Tony Cowards, also entertained the crowd. An event of this type will now surely be on the calendar in future years. 

At the AGM in December club chairman Martin Malin stood down from the role following several successful years at the helm. Martin was elected during a challenging time for the club but with the help of the committee and many volunteers, Martin has overseen a transition period with the club in stronger position organisationally and success on the field, culminating in promotion back to the Premier Division at the end of the 2009 season for the 1st XI - important for our progressive club as a whole. 

This foundation of success will surely be built on by the newly elected chairman, local businessman Bernard Donoghue. Bernie has already overseen stage one of pavilion development plans, which has seen the expansion of the away team changing room, along with other improved facilities. There are several other development plans in the pipeline in what is looking to be a very exciting period for the club.

To matters on the field, the club will be looking to continue the progress made over the previous two seasons since promotion back to the Premier Division, whilst the 2nd XI are well placed to really drive forward and gain promotion from Division 5. 

In the 1st XI the strength appears to be the bowling attack with new captain Gary Evans having several options at his disposal. In 2011 Jamie Powell - despite an ever shortening run up - continued to bowl an accurate and nagging line at the start of the innings, taking 24 wickets. Nick Stewart played the role of containing bowler very well, with an improved economy rate (3.47 RPO) which consistently kept things tight at the top of the innings. Stewart will be looking to maintain this in 2012 whilst openly admitting he is looking to improve on his wicket tally of 12.

The surprise bowler of 2011 was Adam Smallman. Since joining the club in 2009 he has been plagued by a back injury, but last season Smallman bowled with increased pace and with his natural bounce picked up 25 wickets. He has been appointed vice captain for 2012. Jason Horsburgh showed he was capable of getting good batsmen out, picking up 18 wickets in 2011. Horsburgh will be looking to add consistency to his bowling in 2012.

Marcus Humpston was not able to produce his best with the ball last season but still managed to take 16 league wickets at an average of 31; an injury may restrict his bowling this season. The experienced Andy Beale continued to be consistent when available, also picking up 16 wickets. Evans also has the option of his own medium pace, or the option of Gary Hawkins.

The consistency of the 1st XI batsmen is a key opportunity in 2012. Our most experienced batsman, Barry Clements, missed large parts of 2011 with injury and is hoping for a return to form and fitness this season. New captain Evans had a lean year himself with the bat but he hopes to balance his permanent leadership responsibilities with runs at the top of the innings and looks forward to forming a solid opening partnership with Clements. 

Evergreen Nigel Evans topped the run scoring charts in 2011 and looks set to be available for more matches this season - his experience and run scoring ability will be vital at the top of the order. Mark Evans had a solid yet unspectacular year with the bat in 2011, averaging just over 20. His wicket keeping continues to improve and he will be looking to produce some big scores as per the previous seasons.

Marcus Humpston will be looking to score heavily in the middle order this season - anyone who witnessed his 228 against Kineton in 2010 knows the ability he has and he will be looking to reproduce this. Andy Beale and Gary Hawkins completed the middle order during 2011. Beale produced a couple of fighting innings during the season, but will be slightly disappointed by his average of just over 15. Hawkins started the season in good form with a couple of decent knocks, but his form tailed off dramatically as the season progressed. He will be looking to put this right in 2012.

Matt Phillips, Jamie Powell and Adam Smallman provided the power in the lower middle order. Powell scored 306 runs at an average of 34 and at a good strike rate. Phillips scored 159 runs at an average of nearly 23, but will surely looking to play a more key role in the side in 2012. Smallman’s batting has tailed away slightly, but is a solid presence at number 9 in the order and is a proven finisher.

The 2nd XI captain Steve Wheeler will be hoping to improve on the mid-table finish of 2011 and push on for promotion from Division 5 this season. Again the strength of the 2nd XI appears to be the bowling attack, with Carlo Carenza, Tom Willett, Warren Marston, James Hands and Luke McDonagh being arguably as strong as any attack in the division. The club will also be bolstered by the two new signings Richard Pedley and Toby Smith, both will be vying for 1st XI selection.

Carenza gained a reputation as an economy bowler last season, conceding less than 3 runs per over. Willett took 27 wickets and at times was unlucky not to collect more. Marston showed his credentials as an all rounder with 23 wickets at a healthy average of 16. Hands collected 9 wickets at an average of 16, but at times was under-used. McDonagh showed the ability to take wickets and another season of experience will hold him in good stead as he looks to progress to the 1st team.

The batting line up will be similar to last year. Captain Steve Wheeler will be looking to continue his form of 2011 which brought 409 runs, Warren Marston scored 380 runs and the experienced Kevin Holmes scored 336 runs. Chris Close and Stu Clark will rotate between the 1st and 2nd XI when available, with Clark hoping to avenge the memory of the 2011 season, a player of his talent will surely put last season down to a 'blip'.

Frank Carenza ended the season at the top of the order and provided the innings with a solid start. James Hands narrowly missed out on a maiden century in 2011 and will be hoping to convert a half century this season. Luke McDonagh needs to add application to his undoubted talent, as anyone who saw his 83 not out versus The Lenches will testify. Will Jelfs' wicket keeping improved significantly in 2011, but his batting fell away. Jelfs has been working hard in the winter nets and will be keen to resolve this in 2012.

Overall the club squad looks strong, and confidence is high after two seasons of consolidation. Club Captain Gary Evans is confident that the 1st and 2nd XI can step up to the next level to match the ambition off the field. 

Transfers In 

Richard Pedley - All rounder signed from Evesham Henricians. Will be looking to add competition for 1st team places

Toby Smith - Bowler. Free agent, having previously played for Dumbleton

Transfers Out 

James Martin - International Commitments

Josh Burford - Retired