Milnes' fitness the key to well-being of two clubs

MAVERICKS are aiming to emulate Wanderers and become the second hybrid club to be crowned Guernsey champions in their debut season. The merger of the weekend sides of St Pierre and Taverners provides the Carey Olsen Championship with a team capable of beating anybody and Robbie Moore, the vice-captain to Glenn Milnes, is confident of challenging for the title.

'Glenn and myself had a strategy meeting where we looked at the players we have available and we feel we have got a really good squad,' Moore said.

'We might lack a strike bowler, but the batting is going to be as good as anyone's and so we feel we have got a chance in what, on paper, should be a very tight championship.'

The skipper agreed, but added: 'I never try to worry too much about anyone else.'

That was an unintentionally ironic comment from Milnes because the one person whom he is anxious about is himself.

The Guernsey all-rounder has been struggling with injury problems during island training sessions this winter and is in a lot of discomfort.

'I have got all sorts of back and hamstring worries,' the 29-year-old said.

'I am just crossing my fingers that I can play. It looks like bowling could be a problem.

'It has always given me a bit of grief but whenever I put my whites on at the moment, it is painful.'

Both Mavericks and St Pierre will be desperate for him to be fit as the Kiwi provides class at the top of the order and his off-spin is a very useful option.

At the moment, though, he is talking as if he will be playing.

Back to his captaincy role and Milnes emphasised that Mavericks is being seen as a totally independent outfit to St Pierre and Taverners. As such, selection for the weekend team will go on form with no favouritism being shown either way.

'We are a separate club now and hopefully that is how all the players see it. It will be the best players on form who play,' he said.

But included in those who look certain to feature regularly is newcomer to the island Justin Scriven.

Scriven was a team-mate of Moore at Twickenham and on his visit to Guernsey with the club last year, he made quite an impression as he broke Tim Duke's hand and Andy Biggins' rib.

'He will certainly add a lot to both Taverners and Mavericks and, hopefully, Guernsey cricket,' Moore said.

'He is a good strike bowler who can bat and he is an exceptional fielder.'

Another addition to the Mavericks squad is Mike Webber.

The former Cobo and Optimists wicketkeeper-batsman has signed for St Pierre in the Evening League and will be a regular part of the weekend side.

'We are thrilled to have him. It adds strength in both the fielding and the batting,' said Milnes.

'From a St Pierre point of view, without meaning disrespect to any of those who have done the job, we have always had more of a stopper than a keeper.'

In the short version of the local game, DHS St Pierre and DB Taverners are poles apart.

Saints are the two-time reigning Premier One champions while Tavs are perennial strugglers and were saved from relegation last year only due to their superior net-rate over Sylvans.

However, Moore is looking to close the gap between the two teams this summer.

'Last year the aim was just survival, which we achieved. This year we are looking to progress from there. I really feel a mid-table finish is achievable so that's our aim.'

Once again the Taverners skipper will look for the club's youngsters to make their mark.

Jonathon Wilkes-Green impressed greatly last year with his leg-spinners while Matthew Copeland and Ben Ferbrache also featured in the first team.

With the news that both Jon Orme and Martyn Bone are set to miss the majority, if not all of the season due to leg and back injuries respectively, the youngsters could have quite a burden to bear.

The arrival of Orme's brother Andy from Cobo does help to soften the blow but Moore will be hoping to have those two players available at some point this campaign, otherwise his team could struggle once more.

As for the EL kings, St Pierre have one objective in mind - a hat-trick of titles.

'We are a lot more suited to the evenings,' said Milnes.

'But it is a hard league to keep winning and I always feel those are games that can easily go either way.'

Whether they can achieve their aim could come down to the fitness of the New Zealander.

Milnes allows the likes of Vince Kenny, Carl Le Tissier and Paul Wakeford to blast away at one end while he plays the anchor role to great effect.

His off-spin has also been a vital component of the club's recent successes, being a good foil for the seam attack of Dave Hearse, Andy Burkhardt and, when fit, Nick Ravenscroft.

Hearse, who revealed this will be his last year as captain, hopes that Ravenscroft will play more this season after missing the majority of the 2003 campaign.

The skipper added that his side would approach the season in the same way they always did - to enjoy it.

But if they keep everyone healthy, St Pierre should go close once again.