NEW Callington Cricket Club first team captain, Joe White, believes he’s ready for the challenge as he prepares for the upcoming campaign.

The Moores Park outfit had a season-long struggle last summer before eventually securing safety in the ECB Cornwall Premier League — a feat made more remarkable by the fact they only took promotion in February after Helston asked to go down to County Division One over a lack of players capable of competing in the top-tier.

After four years in charge, Aidan Libby has stepped down with wicket-keeper White taking the reigns.

White, 28, said: “I think for me, captaincy was a natural progression in my cricketing career. I have captained the Cornwall Development Team and have also worked closely with Aidan in a vice-captain role for a few seasons, so I believe now is my time to step up and lead from the front. Aidan did a fantastic job as captain but he felt it was time to step down due to family commitments and the birth of his son.”

Callington won just three of their 20 league fixtures but finished 12 points ahead of Camborne and White is just glad to have survived, although he’s hoping for better this time around in what will be a ten-team division.

He said: “Last year was a very tough season for us. But ultimately we looked at it as a positive come the end of the season having completed our objective of maintaining Premier League status.

“Preparations for the coming season will be involving plenty of hard work, with the batters hitting as many balls as possible and the bowlers working on landing the ball in good areas consistently. We are also running pre-season sessions on our mental approach to the game, gameplans and looking at other areas that will improve us on the field.

“Obviously avoiding relegation is our main aim once again. However I believe we are a good enough side to challenge for a mid-table spot for sure. We are growing as a team and the team spirit is high, so there’s nothing stopping us going out there, giving it 100% and causing a few upsets along the way.

“I want players to feel relaxed and go out and express themselves, especially with the bat.

“We have some explosive batsmen in our line-up this year so it would be awesome to see a few bowlers expecting to roll through us getting pumped around the ground. But as long as we go out there, give 100% effort in all three disciplines of the game, enjoy our cricket and play hard, I will be delighted.”

White will be glad that Libby is carrying on as a player but is determined to strengthen.

He said: “We are very fortunate that we haven’t lost any of our players from last season. Aidan, although stepping down as captain, will still be available and will be looking to build on the outstanding season he had with the bat in 2018.

“In regards to incoming players, I don’t want to give too much away. I have found it difficult recruiting players from Cornwall so I have been looking at options from the Devon leagues as we are fortunate in that respect to be just over the river. I will leave it at that for now.”

White has been honing his skills out in New Zealand over the winter with Naenae Old Boys, who are based in Wellington, and maybe bringing someone home with him.

He said: “I am looking at bringing a player back with me who is a hard-hitting top-order batsman and off-spin bowler. Nothing is set in stone as of yet as he is still going through his visa application, but it would be great to have him on board as he would be a huge addition to the club.”

Another boost for top-flight sides is the formation of a T20 Cup for Premier League clubs, which starts on the opening day on Saturday, April 20.

Callington have been placed in Pool B alongside Wadebridge, St Austell and Grampound Road and local rivals Werrington, which is where they’ll head for a double header before they welcome Grampound Road seven days later.

White is delighted they have more chances to play the shortest format.

"I don’t mind that the T20 competition is at the start of the season. I love that they are introducing coloured kits and pink balls. I have played seasons in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand and they have all had a T20 competition involving coloured kit and a white or pink ball. So we are behind the times in getting this going in Cornwall but I’m just glad it has finally materialised and we can’t wait for the opening weekend in a double header against a very strong Werrington outfit. What a way to start!”

While the firsts struggled but survived, the seconds finished third bottom in Division Two East but went down due to the need to balance the division after three sides went down in County Division One, and White hopes their stay in the fourth-tier will be short.

He said: “I think the club would love to get the seconds back up into Division Two. We have a strong side for that league and promotion definitely has to be the aim. Especially under the captaincy of Toby Beresford-Power who I believe will do a great job."

Beresford-Power is gearing up for his second year in charge, and it is clear that two captains are on the same page.

Beresford-Power said: “Our goal this year is to close the gap between us and our first team in the Premier League.

“Ultimately, I would like to challenge for promotion and I think that is more than realistic. We are fortunate enough at Callington that we have a good mix of youth and experience to call upon.

“As I’m sure everyone is aware, we had to fold our third team last year, but we have a thriving youth set-up, and have also managed to establish links with a couple of smaller local clubs to ensure all our youngsters have access to cricket.

“I will be working closely with Joe White, our first team skipper, to ensure the movement of players between the teams is seamless, and productive.

“We have also been lucky enough to sign a few players, a couple of new faces and also a couple of past players that have returned to help us achieve our goals. I am looking forward to getting the season underway, and enjoying a successful 2019.”

Callington are also currently looking into funding opportunities for new nets and a clubhouse renovation.