Cobo favourites for shorter game title

ALL eyes will be on Total Cobo when the Barclays Evening League Division One season opens next week. The west-coasters start the defence of their crown against HSBC Griffins next Friday. Last year was the first time that they had won the title in six years.

'We've always been there or thereabouts,' said their captain Stuart Le Prevost.

'It was pleasing to win it and it was a bit overdue to say the least.'

Last year's success was built on the batting of Le Prevost and the big hitting of fellow island star, Matt Oliver. The left-handed opener got two half-centuries against title rivals Optimists in one week in August to ensure that the Rozel Shield made its way to Cobo's trophy cabinet in the Rockmount.

Oliver's fellow opener and last season's captain Peter Vidamour has since retired from the shorter game while Mark Culverwell is suspended until midway through the season because of his actions during a Channel Islands Championship match with Optis, so the door has been opened for Cobo's juniors.

These include Jamie Nussbaumer, who is currently at the European cricket academy in La Manga, island seamers Blaine Queripel and Kris Moherndl and Elizabeth College quickie, Peter Le Hegarat.

This strength in depth means Cobo go into the competition as favourites.

'I would like to think so,' said Cobo captain Stuart Le Prevost.

'We're missing a couple of players but it's a chance for a couple of the youngsters to come through. We will go from there.

'It might not necessarily be a winning season but hopefully it will be a successful one. It would be nice to win it.'

At the other end of the scale, P&J Conservatories Salemites will be hoping to consolidate their position in the league after being promoted from Division Two.

They were last in the top flight in 2002.

'We are looking forward to it,' said captain Steve Le Ray.

'It will be a challenge. We've kept our side together and we're keen to give it another go.

'We're an experienced team but we've got a few years left in us.'

During the close season, they have picked up a new signing in the form of Ross Knellor. The accountant from Yorkshire is a middle order batsman who Le Ray reckons will do a job for his new team.

'It looks like he will definitely strengthen our batting,' he said.

Along with Knellor, all-rounder Stefan Hothi has joined from Taverners but club stalwart Martin Gray has retired to concentrate on umpiring. For Le Ray, team spirit is key.

'We're all keen and we want to enjoy it,' he said

'The team spirit is good. We're going to enjoy each game, keep the team spirit together and see what happens.'

DHS St Pierre will be boosted by the return of Justin Meades to the island. The larger-than-life Aussie all-rounder is back on the island at the start of next month and his presence could make St Pierre the team they once were.

Under the stewardship of former New Zealand first class cricketer Glenn Milnes, they won back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003. Since he left Guernsey after the 2003 season they have lost their way having just avoided the drop last season.

When Meades was last on the island in 2004 he turned out for Deloittes but he might have a galvanizing effect on his new teammates as Milnes had.

St Pierre were involved in a relegation play-off last season with HSBC Griffins and Deloittes which saw the latter demoted to the second division.

AON St Saviour's, Praxis Pessimists and C&W Rovers will probably find themselves holding the middle ground of the league come the end of the season while Clubhouse Optimists should be at the top with Cobo again.

They will be without quick bowler Andre van Rooyen for this campaign which means a lot will rest on fellow South Africans GH Smit and Divan van den Heever to supply the runs.

Van den Heever will also be the main threat with the ball as well with his left arm fast stuff.

Along with island captain Andy Biggins and former professional Ami Banerjee, new captain Steve Queripel believes Optimists will be a threat to Cobo's hold on the silverware.

'I think we're always going to compete and we've got to be confident that we've got the quality players,' he said.

'I'm confident that we'll get a top three finish.'