Nothing but trophies is good enough for Cobo

TOTAL COBO feel they had a disappointing season last year. Most clubs would have been delighted with winning the Evening League, finishing second in the Weekend League behind Optimists and being runners-up in the CI Club Championship.

But then again most teams are not Cobo.

There is something about the club that sets them apart from the rest.

They seem to have an unerring commitment to the sport that sees them able to turn out their best players week in, week out, whereas other clubs struggle to do so.

They have their own support that can be always be found sitting on the benches in the top corner of the KGV.

They attract players and hence have the largest first-team squad in the island.

They just seem to have an edge about them that can rile their rivals. Maybe it is because they are winners and like all winners, they love to win. The trophies they've picked up over the years prove that.

As the club celebrates its 50th anniversary, more silverware would make some lovely icing on the cake.

Their skipper and island captain, Stuart Le Prevost, is keen not to repeat last year's mistakes.

'If you look at the season on paper, you'd think we had a good one,' he said.

'When we lost to Mavericks when we had 280-odd was astonishing. Full credit to Mavericks, but it was one of those games you'd expect to win and if we had won that, we would probably have won the Weekend League. Then in the final game of the league against Optimists, which was a winner-takes-all, they got 131 and we were bowled out for 107.

'That was unacceptable for a club like Cobo, but again full credit to Optis for sticking to their guns. It was one-off games that let us down and hopefully we can change that this year.

'There have been a couple of moves and some new faces in the clubs that will open up the first division and I think it will be tight. The Weekend League is our main aim this year as we've not won it since 1998 and following on from that, the CI Championship.'

Cobo have a squad that is certainly the envy of other clubs and their three main players are Le Prevost, island wicketkeeper/

batsman Matt Oliver and Jeremy Frith.

Hampshire-based Frith is a well-organised right-hand bat, an accurate left-arm spinner and an excellent fielder. Not only is he Cobo's top man, but probably also the island's as well.

'Mr Cricket' will travel over during the summer to play as he needs to feature in five or more games so he remains eligible to turn out for Guernsey in ICC matches. He is set to return to the island soon with his partner.

'Obviously having someone like Frithy is great,' said Le Prevost.

'He's a good influence and he offers something in every department and he is someone the younger players look up to.'

And younger players are something that Cobo have in abundance.

Their batting will be based around Le Prevost, Oliver and Frith in the top order, with veteran all-rounder Gary Rich coming in afterwards.

But the rest of the line-up will be made up of less senior players like Jamie Nussbaumer, Kris Moherndl and Blane Queripel.

All three are quick bowlers as well, which is a department in which Cobo has an embarrassment of riches.

Over-40 swing bowler Mark Renouf could take the new ball with either Nussbaumer, Moherndl or Queripel. However, that accolade will probably fall to Peter Le Hegerat.

The tall right-arm Elizabeth College student has genuine pace that he has seen him have games with Hampshire second XI and in the island squad. He will be available for Cobo after school breaks up for the summer.

'Pete has been looking pretty good in the nets,' said Le Prevost.

'It's not make or break, but it is a big year for him. There's no doubt he's a decent fast bowler in the nets but he needs to take it onto the pitch and take big wickets.

'He needs to start stepping up to the plate and I'm sure he will.'

Spin, as usual, will be provided by Rich and Frith.

New signing Ben Ferbrache from Mavericks can also do a job with his off-breaks and he will also be able to get some runs for them down the order.

'We've got a good blend of youth and experience and people are not going to be guaranteed their place which is a good thing,' said Le Prevost.

The only chink in Cobo's armour is that they could be relying too much on their younger players. But didn't someone once famously say, 'you'll never win anything with kids'?