SOUTH Petherwin Cricket Club’s first team captain, Jacob Masters, says he will ‘continue to give younger players a chance’ as he prepares for his third season in charge.

Petherwin had a much happier time of things last summer, finishing third in Division Three East following relegation, and Masters, 25, is determined to continue to embrace the challenges leadership brings.

He said: “I’m carrying on the captaincy because I enjoy it and no-one else fancied it! I found it a lot more enjoyable last year, as we had a good season, so the job itself is easier and there’s a lot less pressure.

“After having three tough years in Division Two, it was nice to win some games again, we forgot what it felt like! Even though we competed in the division above, we just didn’t close out enough games to stay up!”

Masters has mixed emotions of 2018 and knows this year will be an even bigger test.

He said: “Part of me was disappointed we didn’t challenge the top two more, especially after winning the first six games in a row. But I would have 100% taken third at the start. With the league being very strong this year with four good teams coming down and two good and local teams coming up from Division Four, I’m hoping for a top-half finish. We played some really competitive games last year and that looks set to continue.”

With highly-rated Cornwall Under 15s star Taylor Gerry set to stay for another season alongside some fellow talented teenagers, Masters is hoping they will progress.

He said: “I will continue to give some of the younger players a chance as they are the future and it’s already showing the potential they have! Fourteen-year-old Taylor Gerry opened the batting all season and finished the top run scorer for the team with 389 runs and it wouldn’t surprise me if he doubled his tally this year. He was well supported by Adam Warne, who was fantastic once he had returned from university. Ollie Petersen joined us at the start of last season and bowled extremely well, picking up wickets opening the bowling. I’m hoping to give them more opportunities as well as a few others!”

With those boys supplemented by Cornwall Over 50s captain Paul Clements and Cornwall Over 50s batsman Adrian Warne along with a couple of other experienced heads, Petherwin could continue to surprise in a tough league which will see them tackle old foes, Callington seconds, Newquay seconds, St Blazey and Boconnoc, who they travel to on the opening weekend on Saturday April 20.

And Masters hopes that he can keep the majority of his squad together with just over seven weeks before the first ball is bowled at Deer Park.

He said: “There’s been no confirmation of any players leaving or joining as of yet, but I can’t imagine that’ll be the case come April. It looks like we’ll get a couple of younger players into the club, as they weren’t given opportunities elsewhere.

“That’s where I see the club going, giving the best opportunities to younger players who have the potential to be really good players. So if any young, or not so young, players feel they aren’t getting as much game time as they want, do not hesitate in contacting someone at the club. We will always welcome new players.”

While the first team look well set at present, the second team will hope for more glory in Division Five East after winning a promotion play-off.

Masters said: “With the seconds going up, they will look to survive in Division Five.

“Having the two teams only two divisions apart will hopefully mean the whole club will improve its standard.

“It will also mean the second team players who come up to the first team will hopefully see less of a standard jump. The second team also give lots of game time to some younger players, and they look to have a really strong team. That was demonstrated when they comfortably beat Werrington fourths in the play-off game at the end of last season.”

One man who won’t be around to see it is club legend Derek Clements who sadly passed away last summer.

However Masters is delighted with how everyone has joined together to take on his responsibilities.

“The club will be getting a bit of work to it at the start of the season, with the possibility of a veranda being built onto the clubhouse.

“Everyone in the club has chipped in and helped prepare the pitches. Paul, Derek’s son, has been fantastic, he has taken the responsibility of preparing the square each week.

“Also with the club having roll-on covers, moveable sightscreens and some really good mowers, the ground has never been better. There was plenty of complements last season about the wickets produced and the ground itself.”

If you are interested in joining South Petherwin ahead of the new season, contact Masters on 078911 15713 or by email at [email protected]