Smells like team spirit at confident Newbury
KEVIN Mills says Newbury Cricket Club is in the best shape since he joined the club 29 years ago.
Skipper Mills has been an integral part of the first team for more than two decades.
And he said: “This is the position we have been in since I joined the club.
“We have a new pavilion, new nets, the junior teams are all fully subscribed and we have had 47 people regularly turning up for nets.”
Now Mills has set his sides on guiding his side up the Thames Valley League.
They led Division 4A for much of the season before tailing off midway through the campaign to eventually finish sixth.
Mills said: “It was a strange season, but we just did not bat well enough.
“We had the best bowling stats in the division, but some the worst batting stats – the bowlers got us out of a lot of trouble.
“But three or four of the new players look promising and those guys who did not have the best of seasons last year have been working hard in the nets.”
To be fair, they’ve had to work in the nets as the continual wet, dreary weather has meant that they’ve have no chance to actually play any pre-season games.
Mills said: “We normally have three or four games before the season starts, but we’ve not managed to play any this year.”
Mills has been a key member of the squad for years, as has veteran all-rounder Charlie Anstey, and that camaraderie is one of the key features of the club.
Mills said: “Charlie is still as keen as ever and will contribute like he always does.
“You do not lost that talent – you just get a bit slower and older!
“I’m just a loyal type of person. Some players jump ship to join other teams, but as captain I have a responsibility to the team.
“The team spirit throughout the club is what keeps people here.
“They are team mates, but also mates and the rapport is excellent.”
Newbury start their season – weather permitting – at Wokingham 3rd on Saturday.