C&R Hawks are fired up for a quick return

Hawks begin life in the rebranded South Staffs County League Premier Division when they host Lichfield on Saturday, following a major restructure of Midlands club cricket over the winter.

Rashid’s team spent last season in Division Two of the Birmingham League but were denied promotion, despite finishing second, due to problems with their Littleworth Road ground.

That essentially saw them drop out of the Birmingham League, which has been reduced from four to two divisions.

Rashid admitted players were left feeling an injustice.

He said: “In terms of a team we did everything right. We won the games which saw us finish in the top two.

“It was just unfortunate there were things happening off the field which prevented us getting promoted. They were things as players we could do nothing about.

“Of course it was tough. We finished the season not knowing which division we would be playing in this season.

“For the lads it is a motivating factor. We feel we should be playing in the Birmingham League and that it is our rightful place. We will be doing everything we can to get back there.”

Hawks are expected to be among the title contenders having retained all of their first XI from last season.

Work is, meanwhile, being carried out to ensure their ground complies with Birmingham League standards.

Rashid said: “We feel things are going in the right direction. As a team, we definitely feel in a good place.”

Cannock captain Adam Benton says his club are embracing the challenge of a more competitive league following the winter changes.

Seven teams have dropped down from the Birmingham League to join the division and for Benton, whose side finished fifth last year, the changes bring a welcome new challenge.

Cannock have seen Connor Shingler leave the club in the close season. But they have re-signed overseas star Faizan Khan who finished as the club’s leading run scorer last year.

They have also brought in Aszall Hussain and Royeth Hussain while Andy Lefever has also re-signed.

“We’re in a good position and we’re looking forward to the season,” Benton said. “There have been a lot of changes but I think it’s a positive move.

“The teams will be better, the cricket is going to be more competitive.

“Quite a lot of signings have been made already and the standard is going to improve.

“In the past there times you turned up for a game knowing you were going to win. That’s not going to happen any more, it’s a move level playing field.

“But we have our goals for the season. The seven teams coming down should be the strongest sides. But we are relishing the challenge of facing them.

“We always aim high. And I know for a fact that we will fight until the very last ball is bowled.”

Penkridge are another side stepping into the unknown after dropping down from Birmingham League Division Two.

But if they are the to be successful, they will do so without two star performers from last season’s bowling attack.

Seamer Aqab Ahmed, who took 54 wickets, and spinner Nihal Shilar, who also claimed more than 50 victims, have left the club.

And Penkridge, under skipper Laeq Chishti, have looked to youth to step up.

“We are looking to give youth a chance,” said Chishti. “We’ve called young lads up from the second team.

“Joe Oakley, Will Hinder, Ross Parker and Miles Davis are very talented and have shown a lot of promise over the winter. We’re going to give them a go this year.”

Penkridge start their season at home to Brewood on Saturday.

Chishti added: “Coming down from the Birmingham League we are not sure what to expect, how strong the league or teams will be. We need to play our first game and assess what we’re up against.”

“We should have enough to compete at this level so we’ll play our game and see.”

Lichfield have bolstered their home-grown squad with an award-winning top-order batsman from New Zealand.

Tim Campbell received an ANZ New Zealand cricket award after helping Wellington College win their first title in 17 years.

The young Kiwi plundered the runs, and will be hoping to help Lichfield compete in the top half of the Premier Division.

“Our team is very much home-grown,” said chairman Peter Sarginson. “Most of our team has come through our juniors which is very encouraging. We prefer to develop our own than pay outsiders.

“We weren’t going to get an overseas player but at the last minute we made a good signing in Tim Campbell.”

Lichfield finished mid-table in Division Three of the Birmingham League last season, but Division Two has also been disbanded and sent back to the feeder leagues.

“It’s going to be harder than previous years, because we’re playing against teams from the league above us,” said Sarginson. “There will be one or two teams that will be fairly strong.

“We hope to finish in the top half, in the top four or five will be our aim, but promotion will probably beyond us this season.”