Newly-appointed Wisbech Cricket Club captain Sam Albutt has said his men are aiming for the top this season.

Cambs Times: Tyler Phillips bowling for March. Picture: PAT RINGHAM.Tyler Phillips bowling for March. Picture: PAT RINGHAM. (Image: Archant)

After narrowly missing out on the Tucker Gardner League Division One title last season, Wisbech are looking to go one better this term, and their new skipper says there’s no reason why his new-look side can’t take the crown.

“We want to win the league,” Albutt said. “We had a good season last year and competed well but just fell short.

“We’ve had a change in captaincy, with me taking over from Gary Freear, and brought it new overseas players, like Jack Hargreaves, who’s looking very good.

“We know it’s going to be a tough task, but we think we can do it.”

Australian Hargreaves impressed on his maiden outing for Wisbech, notching 34 against MCC in a pre-season friendly, and Albutt believes his new recruits will have to be at the top of their game when their campaign kicks off tomorrow afternoon against Foxton CC.

He said: “The team spirit is as good as it’s ever been and we’re very much looking forward to getting underway – but we know it won’t be easy.

“We think Saffron Walden will be the team to beat. They came down from the league above, and they’ll be wanting to go straight back up, so we’ll need to watch out for them.

“Preparations have been hampered by the weather a little bit, but most of the boys are back and looking good.”

Another team looking for an instant return to a higher division is March Cricket Club.

March endured a disappointing campaign last season, dropping out of the Tucker Gardner Division One, but are hoping to make an instant return under the leadership of new captain, Tyler Phillips.

Their season got off to a disastrous start last Sunday after a three wicket defeat to King’s Keys in Division Two of the Rutland League, but Phillips still believes he can lead his side to the Tucker Gardner title.

He said: “If everyone can turn up every week and if we can play to our capabilities, then I see no reason why we can’t win the league.

“We’ve got a similar squad to last season, but we’ve brought in some overseas players like Sam Freedman.

“Ant Palmer from Chatteris has come in too, so we’re looking strong.

“It’ll be good to blow off the cobwebs and get back into it.”

March are to get their campaign underway tomorrow against Babraham and Sawston CC at The Avenue (12.30).