Linlithgow Cricket Membership skipper Grant Raven is assured his group will show they will combine it with one of the best within the east as they put together for his or her first East of Scotland Cricket Affiliation Championship season in almost a decade.
The membership grabbed promotion to the highest division in high-quality trend final 12 months and whereas Raven admits they count on to be up in opposition to it at occasions this marketing campaign, he’s hopeful they will escape a direct drop again right down to Division One.
Linlithgow get their marketing campaign underway on Saturday after they welcome Grange Second XI to Boghall.
Chatting with the Courier, the captain mentioned: “Final season was unbelievable for the membership, not simply the First XI as a result of the Second XI additionally received promoted and truly went the entire season unbeaten.
“So there’s actual confidence and a feel-good issue within the membership on the minute and we’re wanting ahead to the problem of taking part in within the Championship.
“We're lacking three or 4 of the blokes who have been mainstays of the group final season, they’ve moved on to play elsewhere with groups extra native to them and we’ve suffered an harm to considered one of our essential gamers - Clinton Dixon - in a pleasant final week so we’re possibly up in opposition to it a wee bit however we all know we've got group that can trigger sides some issues.”
He added: “We have to take all of the alternatives that come our means and ensure we’re not costing ourselves video games this season.
“We’ve received a extremely sturdy bowling assault so I feel it’s only a case of us ensuring we’ve received sufficient runs on the board to provide ourselves a good probability to defend. If we are able to do this, I’m assured we are able to choose up sufficient wins nevertheless it’s going to be an attention-grabbing season and we’re all wanting ahead to the problem of taking part in in a brand new league and testing ourselves in opposition to the highest groups.”
The membership’s Second XI additionally get their marketing campaign up and working on Saturday. They're taking part in in Division 4 this time period and make the journey to face Drummond Trinity Third XI to open their season.
Livingston are fielding three sides this season with their First XI getting underway on Saturday in Division One at residence to Dunnikier with the Second XI having their Division 5 opener away to Dunnikier’s Second XI.
The brand new Third XI will likely be taking part in in Division Seven with their season opener on Saturday being away to Watsonian Fourth XI.
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