Former champs full of confidence (From Free Press Series)

Former champs full of confidence

NEW Sudbrook cricket coach Mark O'Leary is putting his faith in the club's young crop of stars for this season's campaign insisting they are good enough to guide the side into the Thomas Carol South Wales Premiership top four.

The 2002 champions struggled to make a mark in the league last year finishing well down the pecking order. This season though O'Leary is confident they have the fire power to give the league's top muscle a real fight.

"If we come in the top four I will be absolutely over the moon. That's a realistic aim for us and well in our reach. You have to aim to win the league, but realistically that might be a little out of our depth this year. That won't stop us aiming for as high a finish as possible though," said O'Leary.

The Sudbrook captain and coach pointed to the club's talented band of youngsters as prove he has the ammunition to match his words.

Players like John Lewis and Mike Shaw, both just 17, could make a big name for themselves this season.

Lewis, a seam bowler, is a product of the highly successful Sudbrook youth academy, while off spinner Shaw has been groomed by coaches at the Glamorgan Cricket Academy.

"Youngsters are the way forward for clubs like us. I'd say nine or ten of our starting line up will have come from the Sudbrook youth system. It's a great breeding ground to hone kid's talent and give them the experience they will need for senior cricket," said O'Leary.

Shaw though will have a big weight of expectation on his shoulders. The teenager has been selected to replace the out-going Gordon Volk who is retiring after playing nearly 30 years of top class cricket at Sudbrook.

"He has some big boots to fill, but we're confident he'll be able to cope," said O'Leary.

The club opens its 2004 campaign this Saturday against Cardiff. O"Leary reckons they're favourites for the championship with Glamorgan's opening batsman Dan Cherry on their books as a loan signing.

"He will be a massive danger when he plays for them. What we have to do is try and get him out early. The wickets will be wet so we need to keep the line and length and hopefully he will make a mistake."

O'Leary went on: "Sully will be up there too challenging and newly promoted Panteg and Abergavenny are both unknown so could be dangerous.

"It's going to be an exciting time for us and a challenge we're well up for." Saturday's match bats off at Cardiff at 1.30pm.

Sudbrook take on Lansdown in the National Knockout Cup on Sunday. Playing for the Bath side will be ex-Sudbrook coach Paul Jarvis. The match bats off at 1pm at the Deepweir Ground.