Falla wants 'Club Mavs'

JAMES FALLA is still looking for 'Club Mavericks'.

The outfit formed in 2004, mainly from Taverners and St Pierre, has never qualified for the Channel Islands knockout, but the captain thinks their time may have come. Last year was often a struggle for numbers, despite the huge potential player base, but Falla said that he expected things to improve this time around.

He is seeking inspiration from Jersey, where St Ouen crushed his own side in last year's Sid Guy Trophy final.

Falla was envious of the Jersey team's togetherness.

'We had more than 11 people unavailable and that was really disappointing,' he said.

'I want to avoid that again. St Ouen were in the bar afterwards, dressed in their matching polo shirts and they had their wives and children with them. They were a club where we were a hotch-potch.

'I'm realistic that we're not going to turn into a club like Rovers or Optis overnight, but I want to keep things more together.'

Talking to Falla you get the feeling he is more confident of getting a good side out on a regular basis this season. He sees getting results as key to bringing his players closer together.

'The important thing is to continue to develop as a club rather than as a conglomerate, which is when we get a lack of commitment,' he said.

'Success on the pitch goes a long way to achieving commitment. If we were to win three or four games early on then there would be a real feeling of ?here we go?.

'That would draw people together and I feel we are quite well set up to achieve success - and that means the CIKO.'

One big factor will be Justin Meades, who will play for St Pierre in the evenings and join his team-mates at weekends too.

The exciting all-rounder will certainly strengthen both teams' batting and bowling departments.

'I've never played in the same side as Justin,' said Falla, 'but I've played against him and I know what he can do. He will galvanise St Pierre and as a kick back I hope he will do the same for us.'

With the bat, Meades would line up in the top order alongside St Pierre team mates Walker, Paul Wakeford, Vince Kenny and Carl Le Tissier.

With the possible exception of Wakeford, those players are not quite from the Geoff Boycott school of batting.

They all like to have a go. Falla thinks this could become a strength.

'That will probably be the way we will play the game,' said Falla.

'We have to play to our strengths. We have people who are prepared to have a go, and if it suits, we might as well.'

Falla believes that a long batting line up should be the side's strength.

And with the ball batting all-rounders like Kenny, Walker and Stefan Hothi could back up all-seam attack, likely to be led by Jonny Orme. Ralph Anthony has dropped a division to play for St Sampson's.

'Our bowling is a bit samey. We've got no express pace or spinner but I do think our attack is a little bit underrated,' said Falla.

'Javan Isabelle, Rachid Frihmat and Lee Gallienne all bowled good spells last year and I don't think that Jonny Orme should be a million miles away from the island squad.'

Falla said that big performances from his young Taverners team mate Orme and opener Kenny could be crucial to the season.

The former island and Cobo opener had a lean time in the afternoons last season, but his captain hopes for big returns with bat and ball.

'I think he is a really good player and I would like to see him turn it on again. When he is on fire he is untouchable.

'And I'd like to see Jonny take a big step forward. I know he's good enough.'