Park seeking to continue progress

The Telham-based club consolidated its promotion from Sussex Cricket League Division Three (East) with a very commendable mid-table finish in Division Two last summer.

And new captain Paul Brookes is aiming to break into the top half as Park prepare to make the long trip to Chichester Priory Park - who were relegated from the Premier Division in 2013 - for their opening game on Saturday.

“We’re aiming for mid-table as a minimum and we would like to go a bit higher,” said Brookes, who has had a couple of stints in the role in the past. “We want to aim between middle and top.”

Brookes has taken over the reins from Colin Ayres, who plans to drop down to the seconds. And with Paul Lindfield awaiting a knee operation, the new skipper is very much the elder statesman of what will be a fairly youthful side.

“I’m the oldest player in the side by at least 20 odd years,” continued Brookes, who was the division’s leading wicket-taker last summer with 49 victims. “They’ve already started calling me granddad!

“The club needs to move forward with youth. The second oldest in the side is 26, and the majority of them are between 17 and 21. The whole of the first team is keen to play cricket, and keen to come and train.”

Last year’s overseas player, wicketkeeper/batsman Kellen Powell, is back for a second summer at the club with the added responsibility of being vice-captain.

See tomorrow’s Hastings and Rye/Battle Observers for the full article.