NEW Delabole Cricket Club captain Adrian Pooley says his side needs ‘three or four players’ to be able to take their place in Division Four East of the LWC Drinks Cornwall Cricket League next summer.

2018 saw the lowest number of teams compete across the county since 1982, with 140 teams from 69 clubs taking part.

Although Delabole always managed to fulfill their fixtures to finish in mid-table, former skipper Glen Burrell had a nightmare getting sides out.

And with a few players already stating their intention not to play next summer, Pooley is desperate for additions to avoid the club folding for the second time since they reformed in 2007 by joining the Tamar League.

Pooley said: “We will probably need three or four players that are available all season and we have lost Drew Burnard because of university, so he will be missing for the start.

“Last season we had seven players that played nearly all the time but then struggled to get four other players every week. We ended up playing games with eight, nine and ten players, which after a really good start to the season, was a bit disheartening.”

Towards the end of the summer, Burrell, who was captain, groundsman, secretary and treasurer, informed the committee of his intention to step down from a number of those roles to spend more time with his family, and the response from members has been encouraging.

Pooley said: “We have a good following in the village for the cricket club with many villagers watching home games and some going to all the away matches as well, so our only real issue is players. We have volunteers to help with the wicket and outfield and all the committee roles are filled.

“We have had people come forward to help with the pitch and Glen will carry on with the admin duties (secretary and treasurer) but has passed the captain’s duties over to me. It is extremely encouraging to see people offering their help which will hopefully see the club continue to offer cricket in the village for all who would like to take part.

“We are looking for people to have a fun game of cricket on Saturday afternoons. We have some promising youngsters in the side and do not want to see them lost to the game. After last season’s struggle, our priority is to get 11 players on the pitch every week.”

Pooley is also hoping that the new ten-team divisions, which start on Saturday, May 4 and end on Saturday, August 24, will help.

“With the leagues being smaller for the forthcoming season it means a shorter season which may help with the overlap of the football season.”

Pooley, who used to open the bowling for Werrington in the ECB Cornwall Premier League, knows that the club’s future hangs in the balance.

He said: “I began watching Delabole when I was seven or eight when they played at St Teath and I started playing when I was 14 in the second team when they moved to Delabole.

“Cricket has been a huge part of my life, taking me all around the world playing for the RAF and it all stems from Delabole Cricket Club. The last thing I want is to see it fold again because I think it would struggle to come back for a second time. The club reformed in 2007 after 11 years with no team.

“If we can get a team our main objective is to make sure everyone enjoys it. The important thing to all of us is that the game is played in the right spirit and enjoyed by everyone involved in the game, both players and spectators. But we have the basis of a very good side and with one or two additions and a consistent team, we feel we could compete at the top end of the table. We have had some interest from a couple of ex players but nothing concrete yet.”

If you are interested in turning out for Delabole in 2019, contact Adrian on 01840 212565 or email [email protected].