Everyone involved in the game will be keeping their fingers crossed that the weather is significantly better than the previous two summers which have seen many players become disillusioned and walk away from the game.

With the pressures of turning out four teams each Saturday becoming too much for Larne they have this year decided to enter three teams and place a higher emphasis on quality rather than just quantity.

The First XI will again be led by Jonny Baxter, with Gareth Gaw as vice-captain and after finishing midtable last season will be hoping to push further up towards the top of Section 2.

The team began last season in excellent form before the rain washed away their enthusiasm and they will be trying to get away to a similar start this season which begins with a home fixture against Cregagh this Saturday. Baxter will be hoping that himself and Gareth Alexander can again form a solid opening partnership, allowing a solid middle order including Ian Hill and Dean Hodge to put some good scores on the board, while Jonathan King and Gaw will form the mainstay of the bowling attack, which should include the hot prospect 15-year-old Robert McKinley.

With two quality clubs in Armagh and Saintfield being relegated to Section 2 last season it would appear to be a very competitive league and should produce plenty of good cricket over the summer.

The Second XI will again compete in the highly competitive Section 2 of Division 2. Gary Moore will again lead the troops, with Michael Lyle stepping up from the Thirds to act as his vice captain. A great finish to last season saw the team finish in third place and they will be hoping to pick up where they left off, beginning with a tough trip to Instonians this Saturday.

The experience of Moore, Lyle, Ken McKinley and Darren Stanton will be vital and a lot will be expected from young players Timmy Evans, Chris Dempsey and Chris and Darren King.

Having won Section Three of Division Three last season the Third XI may face a difficult season against many of the country’s strongest clubs. A youthful looking team will be led by the evergreen Esler Burke and hopefully his enthusiasm will rub off on his young players as they look to improve and be competitive each week. They begin their league campaign on Saturday week with a home match against CSNI.

Practices for senior members have already begun and will take place every Tuesday and Thursday night at Sandy Bay from 6.30. If there is anyone new to the area who would be keen to take part in playing cricket then everyone is welcome and they should come to one of the practice nights and make themselves known to one of the cricketers.

The club will again be fielding U13 and U15 teams which will be run by Paul Ramsay and Jonathan King who will practise every Monday night from 6.30 at Sandy Bay beginning on May 11.