NEW Launceston Cricket Club’s first team captain, Robert Mutch, has promised that the club will be promoted from Division Two East of the Cornwall Cricket League next summer.

The 31-year-old South African fast bowler has taken over from wicketkeeper Dan Tilley, who is stepping down after six years in charge.

Last season was a huge disappointment for the first team as they narrowly missed out on an immediate return to County One by just two points, despite losing a game less than eventual champions Lanhydrock.

However they had no-one other than themselves to blame as they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against the Bodmin-based club in their first meeting of the season.

Having reduced the home side to 70-8, they somehow allowed Lanhydrock to smash their way up to 222 before being bowled out for just 114.

Despite getting their revenge in the home fixture with a tense two-wicket victory, a number of postponements towards the end of the campaign means that the club are stuck in the third tier for a second consecutive season.

In February, Mutch will become English qualified, meaning he can play as a non-overseas player, making him an extremely attractive proposition for the clubs throughout the South West.

Mutch played as an overseas player at Lewdown between 2010 and 2012 while he has also played for Somerset seconds, the Easterns in the second-tier of the South African first-class system and even made an appearance for Somerset’s first team in the Clydesdale Bank Pro40 against Scotland when he took 2-46 off his eight overs.

However, after being given the chance to come back to England, he was keen to give something back to Launceston.

Mutch said: “Towards the end of last season I was asked how I felt about becoming first team captain. I’ve had offers from lots of clubs now they know I’m going to become English qualified, including Ilminster who play in the West of England Premier League (Premier 2 Somerset/Wiltshire) as well as my old club Lewdown, but I knew that I owed it to myself to stay and win this league as I’ve won all of the 13 leagues that I’ve played in and we’re going to make sure that Launceston get promoted next season.

“This is going to be my hometown now so it’s important to stay and get promoted and then from there we’ll see what happens. If we win Division Two next season then I’m pretty certain that I’ll carry on as we’d want to continue that winning momentum.”

One of his first jobs in charge will be to look into the running of the on field side of the club, including getting a regular training night in place, something the club has lacked for years.

Mutch said: “There are a number of things I want to change at the club.

“The most important thing is to be able to get a training night sorted so we can work on things and not just turn up on a Saturday and expect to win without putting in any preparation.

“As well as that, I want to create more competition for places and make the second team players know that if they perform consistently they’ll get a chance. It’s now Launceston Cricket Club and not three separate teams, if people can’t accept playing for a lower team then that’s not on.

“For the first few games of the season, the first team will be fairly similar to what it has been in recent years but they now need to know that you have to perform, else you’re not going to play.

“Also if players miss games for no reason then they’re not going to just come in and bat and bowl in their normal positions, they’ll have to work for it.

“We also need to work on our fielding and practise it. When we do our indoor sessions at Launceston College before the season we’re going to practise that because it needs to get better.”

Captaincy isn’t something that is entirely new for Mutch. He’s had previous experience back in his homeland at Kempton Park in the Easterns Premier League and he is determined to do things as he sees fit.

“I’m going to captain it my way. We need to have a better attitude where there’s more enjoyment. We want people desperate to turn up and play and ready to win.

“I don’t do things by the book. It’s all about the situation and the wicket on the day. Of course you need certain positions to be quite consistent but I’m not going to be afraid to change things. We’re going to be really adaptable depending on the state of the game.”

Most new captains will look to add to their playing resources, and while Mutch expects a couple of additions, he’s also determined to give everyone a chance to prove their worth.

Mutch continued: “We’re looking to sign an opening batsman and we’re very close to signing one. Last season we lost a couple of early wickets way too often, so I’m hoping that the current openers will see it as a great challenge to get better.

“I have an idea of the 11 I want for the first couple of games but I’m going to be looking at the scores and performances of players throughout the club. I’m not going to be going out there looking for lots of new players to bring in. I want to work with what we have and get them playing better and creating an environment where everyone thinks they have a chance of playing for the first team if they perform. It can’t be a closed shop.”

In the middle of the summer, Mutch decided to seek residency in the UK and has been grateful for the generosity of club members and the owner of the White Hart Hotel in the town, Jane Peake.

Mutch said: “I wouldn’t have been able to do what I’ve done without the support of Kevin and Tamsin Worth, who have given me a job with R Worth & Sons Builders, Phil Spry, who got me to come and play for Launceston, and to Jane Peake at the White Hart for giving me a room to stay.

“So I would like to say thank you to them for making things so much easier for me.”

The club’s annual meeting was also held on Thursday, November 3 at the ground.

At the moment the club are still waiting to hear whether Matt Bloomfield will resume the second team captaincy, although Paul Bunn will once again be charged with bringing on the thirds and the ladies team.

Off the field, Phil Spry remains as chairman while Bill Glen will be the club secretary and juniors co-ordinator.