Town aim to become the best team of the last 20 seasons

Peterborough Town are seeking to become the first team to win four successive Northants Premier Division titles for 20 years this summer.

It’s just the extra piece of motivation the club need after their clean sweep of the three major county league trophies last summer.

Town won the league title and the Northants T20 crown as well as the prize for the best record in the win/lose half of the season.

And David Clarke’s side are stronger this summer following the return to Bretton Gate of top all-rounder Danny Mohammed after a year playing as a professional for Premier Division rivals Brigstock.

“We are a very motivated squad anyway, but the chance of a fourth successive title is a massive target for us,” captain Clarke said. “It’s never been done in the last 20 years, so it would be a pretty big achievment.

“Last season was fantastic for us and having Danny back as a third seamer makes us stronger. We will bring the same attitude and game plans as we had last season and see where it takes us.

“We will be positive and aggressive with the bat and the ball. We haven’t lost anyone of significance so there is no reason why we shouldn’t be suc

cessful again.”

Town’s toughest test of the summer might come early as they travel to last season’s runners-up Finedon on opening day on Saturday. Finedon won five successive top-flight titles between 1999-2003.

The Premier Division has been reduced to 10 teams this season with the competition again split into nine win/

draw/lose 50-over matches and then nine win/lose games.

June will be taken up by the Northants T20 competition which will be played exclusively on Saturdays for the first time to give clubs more chance of fielding a competitive side. A repeat victory for Town would take them into the National rounds. Clarke’s men are also keen for another

good run in the National 40-over club Championships. They will tackle Hertford or Bedford Park in their first outing.

“Wewanttomakeourmark on the national stage again,” Clarke added. “We made the National T20 semi-finals once and we had a good run to the Area Final of the National 40-over competition last season. But we have a tough start to the league programme at Finedon to think about first. They are always strong, but they appear to have recruited another couple of good players for this season.

“We have everyone available though. The most difficult decision for me will be who to leave out now that Danny Mohammed is back with us.”

Peterborough Town players celebrate their Northants Premier Division title last season.