Stoneywood Dyce aiming to get back where they truly belong

Cricket: Captain Mitchell prepared to lead side to promotion this year

Stoneywood Dyce captain Jack Mitchell is targeting a return to the Eastern Premier at the first time of asking.

The Peoples Park men were demoted to the Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union’s North-east Championship after finishing bottom of the Eastern Premier last season.

But top-order batsman Mitchell believes his side can make a speedy return ahead of the season kicking off this weekend.

He said: “We have managed to keep the majority of the squad together.

“We have lost only one player, Akhlaq Bashir, who has gone to Aberdeenshire. We are playing in a league below what we have been used to but we are not taking anything for granted.

“Every game presents a different challenge. We are going into the season optimistic but not overconfident.

“Hopefully, this season is a good chance to rebuild. We are a young team and I think playing for a year in a lower league could be a very beneficial experience.

“I hope the younger players can get some runs and wickets under their belts. We have worked hard over the winter period and the aim now is to win the league and go straight back up. We want to get promotion. We have got to aim high.”

Stoney will get the season under way with a trip to Dundee HSFP tomorrow with their two new overseas amateurs Jacques Koster and Liam Lindsay set to make their competitive debuts for the club.

Koster, a left-arm seam bowler, and Lindsay, an opening batsmen and offspinner, both come from Alberton in South Africa.

Mitchell added: “We’re delighted with the way they have integrated into the team. We’re looking forward to the season getting under way. Hopefully, we can make a strong start.”

Elsewhere in the NEC, Mannofield host Forfarshire 2nd XI and Gordonains face Strathmore at Countesswells.

No confusion: Jack Mitchell wants to earn promotion