Glos' glory to rub off on Stroud? (From Stroud News and Journal)

Glos' glory to rub off on Stroud?

STROUD Cricket Club have appointed a new first-captain for this season's Premier Division Two campaign and one aim they will have is to model it's team ethics on the one's set by Gloucestershire Cricket Club.

Current club player Keith Daniels expressed an interest in taking over from Richard Gegg as captain and will make his debut captain's appearance in Stroud's first league match at Weston on March 4.

Former first-team captain Leighton Collins explained Stroud's aims for the season and how the winter break has been for the club: "We have worked really hard this winter but our main problem in the past few seasons has been that we have been too individualistic.

"Individuals win matches but teams win leagues and this is what we want to install at the club. Corsham won the league last year because they were a team not individuals. That is what we need.

"Stroud need to follow Gloucestershire CCC's example. They have not got one big name star but a squad of players who will all contribute. And this mentality has helped them win trophies."

"We are not setting our sights too high, we would be happy with a mid-table finish,' said Collins.

On Daniels' appointment, Collins added: "Keith's experience will help the team this season because we only have three players over 30 and a lot of younger members.

"But there is no one side in this league that scares us. We have looked at all the sides in the league and there is not one that we cannot beat on our day.

"However, Weston are always a very strong side and will be challenging near the top of the league." The Farmhill club have got a very strong youth set-up and the hard work in the past is now paying off.

Collins said: "We have a lot of talented young players but they need to use this talent now and perform in the league.

"The second team has seven or eight players who have come through the youth set-up and the first-team have six or seven players who have worked their way through the club ranks."

"The near future ambitions of the club is to be in Premier One in two or three years time." Stroud had two pre-season friendlies recently against Hatherley & Reddings and Fair Oak (a touring side from Hampshire) and won both.

Collins noted that victory was not the issue in these matches but he was pleased with the fitness and freshness of the team.

Stroud started their nets sessions in February and this early start has built the squad's morale and brought them together as a team.

Joe Skinner (a county coach) plays for the first team as well as coaching and he has worked the players hard during the winter.

The club also has seven or eight coaches with English Cricket Board coaching badges and this will improve the players' talents even more.

Anyone who wishes to come along to play or watch at Stroud Cricket Club can find match information at www.stroudcricketclub.co.uk or call Leighton Collins on 07816 602796.