Cricket: Chester Boughton Hall hit the nets as new season nears

Feb 3 2011 by Paul Glynn, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER Boughton Hall launched pre-season training on Monday with the first of the club’s weekly nets seasons.

After winning the Cheshire County League Twenty20 Trophy in 2010, captain Jim Gillson is looking for Hall to kick on and achieve more success this year.

Gillson, whose side also came desperately close to a place in the national Cockspur Twenty20 Cup final last season, said: “I’m genuinely excited about the season ahead. Last year was immensely enjoyable at Chester for a number of reasons.

“Apart from at last winning a trophy, we stuck to our principles of developing our youth talent and made tremendous progress.

“We regularly played with five under-20s, working them carefully around our senior players.

“The likes of Ollie Law, Jack Williams, Mike Robinson, Glen Coppack and Ollie Thompson made tremendous progress helped by senior pros like Alex Kegg, Eddie Roberts and Steve Ogilby.

“Steve, too, who was a revelation opening the innings with Warren Goodwin.”

Lancashire 2nds star Goodwin was again named the league’s player of the year after a stunning season with the bat.

Gillson will be looking for more of the same from his star man.

“I’m delighted that we’ve strengthened the side too with the addition of Lancashire CCC scholar, Jordan Clark,” added the Hall skipper.

“He and Warren know each other well and it promises to be a terrific partnership.”

Daron Cruickshank has returned to Filkins Lane after a stint Down Under in Melbourne.

Gillson believes Hall fans are still yet to see the best of the Trinidadian all-rounder.

“Daron’s enthusiasm and commitment to the club and his influence on our youngsters makes him a great guy to have around,” said Gillson.

“We’ll hopefully have a fit again Chris Connolly back from Lancashire Academy too so I’m confident we have a formidable bowling attack.”

Hall nets sessions take place on Mondays from 7-9pm at The King’s School. Call Gillson on 07852 303082 for more details.