Moore wants more professionalism

THE new captain of Deutsche Bank Taverners wants a more professional approach from his players to achieve his very specific goals. Robbie Moore has taken over from James Falla, who enjoyed seven years at the helm, and he has set targets of survival in Barclays Premier One and winning the Cable & Wireless Guernsey League (AL Division Two) in his first season in charge.

'I am confident we will stay up and I feel we could upset a couple of teams this season, but a big team effort is required,' said Moore, who is looking forward to taking up the leadership duties.

Taverners preserved their Premier One status only on the last day of the 2002 evening league season with a seven-wicket victory over Salemites in the relegation play-offs.

Moore joined the side halfway through that campaign and immediately looked a useful acquisition with either bat or ball in hand.

However, during that short time he saw aspects of the team that, he insists, have to be improved upon.

'Generally, I thought the attitude was not good. People were turning up 10 minutes before the start of games and not doing any sort of preparation. We need to be more professional, for want of a better term,' added Moore.

The Taverners side, and particularly its batting line-up, has been strengthened by the signing of Jason Cook and Matt Seeds.

But they are still lacking an outstanding individual talent, which means they need everyone making contributions if they are to get the results for which Moore is looking.

'I feel we have got bowlers who can put the ball in the right places and bowl tight spells. The fielding is okay but it can get better and we will be doing a bit of work on it before the season starts.

'We have been netting well. We have had good turnouts and we have got some people looking in good touch - I am happy with it.'

Moore also suggested that along with Cook and Seeds, there will be another fresh face in the ranks, someone who was involved with the club's league-winning colts team last year.

He was unwilling to name him, though.

'During the season, at some stage we will probably introduce a very promising bowler from our colts. We have got some very good young players, although for some of them it might be another year or two before they are ready, but this lad is good enough to give senior batsmen problems now.'

Through president Tony Cripps, the club's colts are showing much promise and it would be a great shame if they did not have a senior side in the top flight to come into when ready.

That is why the objective of Premier One survival is of vital importance to Taverners.

They have enough about them to pick up points but whether they accumulate enough is another matter and much could depend on whether the top division is reduced to six teams for 2004.