WITH its first indoor winter net session taking place last weekend, Andover Cricket Club began its preparation for what could be one of its most exciting seasons yet.

The cause for this excitement is that on top of the existing five Saturday teams, all of which have a very realistic shot at a top three finish in their respective divisions, the club will now also be running a sixth Saturday side.

Club president Andy Hooper explained that the town club’s thriving youth set-up necessitated the creation of another men’s side.

He said: “This coming season we have decided to expand and add one more Saturday team to the existing five.

“We have had no trouble at all filling out five sides over the last three or four seasons and we have found that we now have an abundance of young players coming through our colts system who, when they reach 17 or 18, were left with nowhere to play.

“Our sixth team will be a link between the colts’ teams and the men’s teams and will help us keep more of our young players at the club and involved in cricket.

“Also, in recent years a number of older players with no previous connection to the club have joined up and started playing. “We have had players come to us who had moved into the area or been posted here with the Army, and who just wanted a game of cricket. “An extra Saturday side and our two Sunday sides means that we are now able to accommodate these extra players.

“That said, we are always on the lookout for new players of any age or ability, and if there is anyone out there who wants to take up the game or get back into it, I urge them to get in touch.”

Nets are open to players of all abilities, both to existing club members and those wishing to join. The sessions are at John Hanson School, between 10am and noon, every Sunday until March 29.

For more information contact 01264 359485 or visit www.andovercricketclub.co.uk