Workington are shaping up for the defence of their North Lancs and Cumbria Premier Division crown with a new man at the helm.

Rob Lambert, 25, who made his debut in last season’s unbeaten treble-winning team after joining from Whitehaven, succeeds Callum Moffat.

“It’s a challenge going in to defend our title with some good sides gunning for us,” said Lambert. “I expect particularly stiff opposition from Furness and Cockermouth.

“But we will be able to rely on the side which played so well last season, and which was a great mix of youth and experience.

“I think the fact that everyone enjoyed playing in that team, looking forward to training and playing, made it a bit special.

“Our professional Kaushalya Gajasinghe arrived back this week and will be ready for the opening game at home to Wigton.

“He was terrific for the team, not only with his contributions with bat and ball, but the way he helped us improve our fielding.

“He was an outstanding professional for the club, both on and off the field, and we are delighted to have him back.

“We also have Andrew Ireland raring to go after a good winter in Australia where he helped his team [to] win the league title."

The new skipper, who will be leading a team for the first time, learned his cricket in Kendal where he grew up and played for Netherfield. He played in Cheshire, too, when he was studying at University.

Workington won the league, the Higson Cup and the County Cup to complete a glorious treble. In winning the Premier Division, Workington dented the Furness record of seven championships in eight years.

They will be determined to reclaim top spot and look stronger for 2017.

The club have re-signed prolific Kiwi seamer Seth Rance as their professional once again.

The Wellington-born professional claimed 68 victims at a cost of just eight runs apiece last year to top the North Lancs League Premier Division bowling charts.

The 29-year-old Kiwi’s return is a massive boost for a Furness side which has recruited well locally, with star all-rounder Mark Daly returning to his roots after a four-season spell with Lindal Moor.

Daly will be joined by Cumberland Minor Counties batsman Sam Dutton, from Northern League Barrow, and also bolstering the Furness ranks is promising Lindal youngster Harris Woods.

Cockermouth open their season at Furness when they will have a new professional in South African Mkhululi Calana.

The 24-year-old opening batsman originally has been playing first class cricket for the Border Provincial Team, based in East London.

Calana is also a very good fast medium opening bowler who had a prodigious schools and University career.

He made his debut for Border against Free State in November of 2015 and since then he has been a regular fixture for Border and averages a very healthy 30.68 from just 11 games with two fifties and a brilliant hundred against Kwa Zulu Natal where he was ninth man out after opening the batting and held the innings together.

The Premier Division games are – Cleator v Dalton; Furness v Cockermouth; Keswick v Carlisle; Workington v Wigton.

On Bank Holiday Monday (May 1), six first round ties in the County Cup are due to be played.

The games are: A Rockliffe v Furness; B Keswick v Cleator; C Wigton v Haverigg; D Whitehaven v Westgate; E Workington v Cockermouth; F Carlisle v Lindal Moor; G Millom bye; H Penrith bye.

Round Two (Sunday May 21): 1 D v B; 2 G v H; 3 F v C; 4 E v A.

Semi-final (Sunday June 11): A 4 v 2; B 3 v 1.

Final (Sunday July 9).