Beacon turn to spinners to boost their attack

Off-spinner Ben Robinson has returned to the club where he started his career along with fellow tweaker Dan Vernon.

Robinson and Vernon, who were first and second in the bowling charts last summer, have made the switch from Brewood along with another Beacon old-boy, Jake Cartwright.

“We wanted to add a bit more experience to our squad and we certainly look well-stocked in the bowling department with Ben and Dan arriving,” said skipper Dan Green.

Beacon start with a clash at Fordhouses on Saturday and Green admits the excitement levels are mounting.

“There are a lot of clubs in there that we haven’t played for a while following the restructure and the lads are looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

“With so many sides coming into the league, it’s a step into the unknown but I I think it will be tough, hard cricket week in week out.”

Hammerwich skipper John Jennings in unsure about the changes to the league this season.

He believes the standard of cricket will be better after several clubs returned from the Birmingham League.

But Jennings, whose Hammerwich team finished third in the Premier Division last year, reckons the changes have muddied the waters.

“They’ve messed about with it by disbanding the (bottom two divisions) Birmingham League,” said Jennings. “I don’t really see what they’re trying to achieve.

“They claim it’s about travelling purposes, but they seem to be picking out bits of what the Birmingham Leagues do and filtering it down.

“If you want it to be a feeder league, why not be exactly the same? There are new power play systems, and the players you can sign are different than the Birmingham League.

“The standard of cricket will be better, it will be more competitive. I just feel it could be more consistent.”

Hammerwich have signed Nathan Howell from Coseley to strengthen their middle order and brought Matt Deyzel back from South Africa for his second season at the club.