Whitehaven Cricket Club captain Jonathan Stewart has high hopes for the new season as his squad starts back in training.

The club’s teams have now started senior winter nets at St Bees School every Sunday from 6-7.30pm and they are welcoming any new players that wish to come down.

The first couple of sessions have been really well attended with several new faces and a number of former players returning to the fold.

Captain Jonathan Stewart is really optimistic that the improvement shown by the teams in 2018 can be built upon as they prepare for a new term.

He said he was particularly delighted at the standard of new players that the club have attracted and these, alongside new professional Shafyaan Sharif should help ‘Whitehaven compete at the top end of the table’.

The second team, led by Jason Spires, is also expected to be much stronger and will look to challenge for the league title in the new season.

The club also fields a third team on Sundays and a midweek XI led by Arthur Lamb who both play local friendlies.

Anyone interested in playing cricket, regardless of gender, ability or experience is welcome to attend the practice sessions.

The club is also always looking for new sponsors for all ages groups from the young All Stars, aged between five and seven, up to the senior first team level.

Stewart added his thanks and that of the players and members after receiving major backing from Robinson & Co Accountants and Business advisors, along with Wates Construction, the main contractors on the newly built St Benedict’s School.

Junior practice, from All Stars up to under-14s, starts on Thursday, February 7, from 7-8pm in Whitehaven School Sports Hall .

More details are available from Jonathan on 07785585951, Arthur Brown on 07947205666, Arthur Lamb on 07799511721 or Phil on 07828957604.