O'Leary ready for challenge (From Free Press Series)

O'Leary ready for challenge

SUDBROOK Cricket Club have a new coach and captain.

Popular player Mark O'Leary takes over the dual roles after the departure of last season's coach - former England international Paul Jarvis, who has moved to his home town club Lansdown, near Bath.

Batsman O'Leary said he was honoured and delighted at his appointment and said he was looking forward to the new Welsh Premiership season, which bats off this April.

In his first interview since taking over from Jarvis he said: "I'm relishing the challenge ahead. I know the squad inside out, having been here for years and used to coach the side about three years ago so I know the format well."

Last season, Sudbrook failed to live up to their standing as reigning champions and at one stage looked like being locked in a relegation battle, despite glittering their trophy cabinet the season before with an array of cups.

Jarvis' leadership and bowling was pushed to the limit, yet in the end his side strung together a run of wins to stay up.

O'Leary did admit Jarvis' departure would put more pressure on his bowlers, but said they were well up to the challenge.

"Obviously, Paul did a great job and it's a big loss, but we have the players here who are well up to the task," he said.

O'Leary's first game in charge has been pencilled in for April 10 - a friendly away Newport side Rogerstone. The Monmouthshire side start their tilt for the title away at Cardiff on April 25.

In the meantime, O'Leary, who has taken the captaincy over from team mate Dean Wallace, has plenty of cricket to think about with the club's indoor side just one game away from a place in the national finals at Lords next month.

The competition's reigning champions have already eased their way to their semi-finals with some polished displays of cricket. Their latest win came against Cheltenham Cricket Club, who were brushed aside for just 65, with Sudbrook bowler Dean Wallace taking an incredible 4-14 and O'Leary a brace of wickets, too.

"There's a good, up-beat feeling in the squad," said O'Leary. "We're focused on doing well in the competition. Around 4,000 sides entered it and now we're getting down to the nitty gritty. We'll fancy our chances, though, to go all the way."

Sudbrook will travel to Bath this Sunday, in the semi finals, where they will play a team from either Somerset, Wiltshire, or Devon. Victory will guarantee them a place in the finals at Lords.