BUDE skipper Warren Rumble believes a top-half finish would be a successful summer for the club ahead of the big kick-off tomorrow.

The Seasiders – fuelled by 58 wickets by Australian left-armer Brett Hunter – finished an impressive third in Division Two East of the Bond Timber Cornwall Cricket League in 2024, and with a settled side could overachieve once more.

But with the division now 10 teams as opposed to 12 and several sides bolstering their squads with overseas players – Rumble admits halfway would be a good campaign at Crooklets.

He said: “Last year was an unbelievable season for us, obviously helped by Brett being so good, but we had various people stepping up at crucial times.

“Once you get on a winning run confidence grows, and we won our last five games and there was a feeling in the team that we could win from any kind of position.”

Hunter has been honing his skills back home for Cardiff Boolaroo Cricket Club in the Newcastle Premier District Association competition, and although not yet quite fully fit, is set to keep batsmen across the third-tier on their toes.

Rumble added: “It’s great to have Brett back as always, he just loves it here.”

With Wadebridge Seconds coming down and promoted Luckett strengthening significantly, Rumble knows it won’t be easy, and also wants to bridge the gap to the second team.

Mike Taylor’s side missed out on a top four finish in last year’s Division Five East, ensuring they were put into Division Six in the restructure.

Rumble continued: “It’s going to be a tougher league, the teams that have come into the league look decent and the rest of the sides seem to be strong as always, so it should be really competitive.

“I think most teams can beat each other, so it’ll depend on what happens on any given day.

“If we can finish in upper mid-table I’ll be happy, but the main goal really is to get the seconds promoted. If they can do that then it’ll be a great season for the club.”

Bude will rely on Hunter’s pace, a nagging seam and spin attack and a lengthy batting line-up, although they are unlikely to be at full strength for long spells.

Rumble said: “Unfortunately JT (James Turner) is away for ten weeks after game three for his Navy training and Sharms (James Sharman) won’t be playing every week, but on the signings front we’ve got Richard Dymond and Dave Sillifant into the club and they’re both decent additions.”

Bude have never reached the Division Two T20 Cup Finals Day, with Rumble adding: “We do tend to treat those matches as a bit of fun, but it would be nice to see if we can make it through the group this year if possible.”

While league cricket is important, there are plans to expand elsewhere around the club.

He continued: “There’s lots of goings on with bookings for the All Stars and Dynamos really good so far, and we’ve also got under 11s and under 13s teams starting up this year.

“As ever we’ve got plenty of friendlies booked in which are important having lost the four league fixtures, while we’re also going to be holding a couple of women’s softball tournaments during the summer with the hope of creating a ladies team for next year.”

The first team visit St Minver tomorrow (1pm) with the seconds due to entertain their South Petherwin counterparts at the same time.