Improving Dons keen to continue momentum

Bond, who has taken over from Rob Atkins, began his stint with a convincing win over Easton & Martyr Worthy in the National Village knock-out competition.

The skipper has also been boosted by the return of all rounder Indy Chakrabarti after a three-year absence.

‘We finished last season as one of the form teams and in the end finished sixth in the league,’ said Bond.

‘Our aim is to improve upon that but if we can get off to a good start then there is no reason why we cannot push for promotion.’

Gosport Borough welcome back top-order batsman Alex Styles from Burridge as they look to build on last season’s fourth-place finish in division three.

Captain Tom Larner is hoping for a winning start as Borough visit St Cross Symondians II.

He said: ‘We have kept all of last season’s squad and added a few more.

‘It is good to have Alex Styles back and I am sure he will contribute lots of runs.

‘Our new overseas player this year, Michael Russell , is also a top-order batsman and has looked useful.

‘We want to build on last season and push for promotion this summer.’

Russell’s debut may be in doubt as one or two administrative issues still need to be sorted out.

Gosport Borough: Lee Harrop, Simon Creal, Michael Russell, Alex Styles, John Adams, 
Tom Larner, Charlie Pennecott, Conor Regan, 
Pete Robson, Matt Johnson, Dale Patternote

Waterlooville will give a debut to new overseas player Henk Nel from South Africa in their opener at Lymington II.

Ville captain Max Goddard is hoping his team can improve on last season after fadingin the closing stages.

‘We were top with five games to play but the wheels came off at the end,’ he said.

‘The runs from our top four dried up and this time around our middle order will have to fire a lot more.’

Waterlooville: Max Goddard, James Scutt, 
Tim Jackson, Alex Shephard, Henk Nel, 
John Hudson, Sam Hillman, Archie Reynolds, 
Andy Reynolds, Matt Cook, Ash Silva