WERRINGTON Cricket Club first team captain, Adam Hodgson, has wasted no time in adding to his squad ahead of the 2017 season with the signings of Cornwall captain Matt Robins and James Turpin.

Following three titles in four years, 2016 was a huge disappointment at Ladycross as they failed to adapt to life without star all-rounder Alex Smeeth and a change in captaincy which saw Hodgson take over from Ben Smeeth after ten years in charge.

A sixth-place finish and a failure to reach either the Hawkey Cup final or progress out of their 50/50 Cup meant changes were always likely, and the club have signalled their intentions by snaring two of the most sought after talents in the county.

Robins, who normally opens the batting and also bowls some tidy off-spin, played for Werrington for a large part of his youth before leaving for Callington at the end of 2009.

Having spent five years at Moores Park, he joined Grampound Road two summers ago, but the lure of a tilt at the Premier League title seems to have lured him back to his old stomping ground as Hodgson explains.

Hodgson said: “When we spoke to him we made it clear to him how much we wanted him back. He said that playing for us was the most enjoyable of time of his career so we’re delighted he’s come back to us.

“When he came to the AGM and entered the room, everyone cheered. Everyone is over the moon that he’s at Werrington again and hopefully he can win the titles with us that he wants so badly.”

While it’s obvious that the players and supporters are delighted that he has come home, so to speak, it’s on the field where he’ll be aiming to repay the faith shown in him and Hodgson knows what a great all-round package he’ll have at his disposal.

Hodgson said: “Mini will give us lots of things. He’ll give us leadership, he’ll give us some more experience and everyone knows about his qualities with the bat and with the ball.

“He’s played lots of cricket for a 26-year-old and is still young enough to improve and get better like all of us.”

While Robins is a well known figure in Cornish Cricket, 19-year-old Turpin isn’t such a household name despite playing for Wadebridge and St Austell as well as attending Kings College in Taunton.

A towering presence, Turpin has been brought in to open the bowling and provide the fireworks at the back of the Werrington innings.

Hodgson said: “James is the perfect signing for us. We needed an opening bowler and he definitely will be that for us at the beginning. He’s also a very useful batsman. He absolutely whacks it and can bat anywhere for us depending on the situation. If after 30 overs we’re flying, we can tell him to get his pads on and go in and smash it. Last season he hit 40 odd off about 20 balls (47 off 22) against us and hit into the field about four times, so he’ll give us another option at the end of the innings or if we want to try and change the momentum of the game.

“On top of that he’s also a really good fielder and a top lad, and with him now joining we have in my opinion, three of the top young players in Cornwall with him, Mark Gribble and Tom Dinnis.”

With two new signings confirmed, and one likely to be confirmed in the next few days plus an overseas player already being discussed, competition for places are going to be at an all time high.

As usual, Hodgson knows that some players aren’t going to be happy at times but knows that competition for places will bring out the best in the squad.

“These new signings are going to create some problems for me but I’d much rather be in that position than I was last year when I didn’t have those options.

“We’re now probably going to have a team of 11 batsmen but nothing will change. There’s going to be a lot of competition for places but players will be picked on how they train and perform in matches and their attitude.

“Before the start of the season I’ll talk to all of the players individually and ask them what they see their ideal position in the batting order or where they see themselves bowling.

“Everyone will get their chance to stake their claim and then it’s up to them to take it. There’ll be no favours, it’ll be based on training, performance and attitude.

“We don’t want to settle for being second. We’re here to compete for the title.”

Having been re-elected at the AGM last Monday night, Hodgson knows that his captaincy will be scrutinised a lot more now he has been given a year to settle into the job. But he has been delighted with the backing of the club’s committee.

“The players and supporters knew we needed to strengthen the club’s first team. We have managed to sign two quality players so far and the backing of the board has been great. They’ve given me their full support so I’m happy with the work we’ve done and we want to push the club back to where we feel it should be, pushing for titles.

“Hopefully in the next few weeks we can get our overseas player sorted and then I’ll be very happy before the winter nets start in the New Year.”