Milnes the chief Maverick

MAVERICKS, a weekend cricket club formed by the merger of St Pierre and Taverners, has been founded officially. The two clubs, who will keep their separate identity in the Barclays Evening League, have followed the example set by GCA champions Wanderers - the club formed when Pessimists and St Saviour's joined forces in the longer version of the local game.

Guernsey all-rounder Glenn Milnes will captain the Mavericks first team that will compete in the Cable & Wireless Championship, with Robbie Moore vice-captain.

The club will also have a second team in the GCA League.

However, Taverners skipper Moore was keen to point out that the new venture was not a closed shop to players from the two clubs involved.

'One thing that struck me was that people might see this as solely a St Pierre and Taverners venture, but Mavericks is basically a whole new club,' he said.

'It would be good to get people who are not playing in the afternoon league, but who would like to, to come and join.

'We will have a good squad as things stand, but we are not going to turn people away.'

The formation of Mavericks should ensure one of the most competitive weekend leagues in history.

They will fight it out for the GCA Championship with Wanderers, Cobo, Optimists and the newly-strengthened Rovers.