France hopeful of a successful season (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

France hopeful of a successful season

8:00pm Thursday 7th June 2012 in Sport By Matt Plummer

Clacton Cricket Club skipper Ben France believes his side can make real strides this summer.

The club continued their encouraging start to the new Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League campaign by drawing at reigning champions Cambridge Granta on Saturday.

France took four wickets, while form man Stefan Gericke scored an unbeaten 91 and George Brown contributed 51.

“It was a great result and certainly one we’d have taken at the start of the day,” said France.

“It was my first appearance of the season, due to work commitments, and one of the first things that struck me was the atmosphere among the players.

“We had a good winter in that a few home truths were said about what needed to change.

“We’ve got a talented squad and, whereas in the past we might have relied on two or three senior players, virtually everyone has spent the last five years playing Premier League cricket.

“Everyone knows what to expect and if we all perform well and chip in, I believe we can do well.”

Clacton are at home to Horsford on Saturday and new signing Greg Smith – the Essex all-rounder – could make his debut.