HAVING gone agonisingly close to securing promotion to the County League last year, Alvanley have bolstered their squad with a view to bringing some silverware to Frodsham Road this season.

Andy Bennion’s side finished third in Division One of the Meller Braggins League in 2010, losing out in a last-day duel with rivals Malpas.

They will be stronger this time round.

New additions include former Lancashire and Somerset ace Andy Hayhurst, former Chester Boughton Hall batsman Jack Yates and Weaverham bowler Kenny Roberts, while all-rounder Dave Shewring has returned to the club.

Off the pitch, it has been a busy close-season for Alvanley. A highly successful Cricket Force weekend, when volunteers were invited along to rejuvenate the facilities at Frodsham Road, was augmented by several other improvement projects.

A new pavilion roof will be finished for the first home game against Prestbury this Saturday, but Alvanley members have not stopped there – tiling the toilet floors, repairing the showers and buying a new set of sight-screens.

Over at OAKMERE, similar sterling work has been taking place behind the scenes.

The club will be using a new scoreboard for the 2011 season – the latest upgrade in a series of recent improvements at Overdale Lane.

This has been made possible by contributions from private sponsors, Oakmere Parish Council and Sport England.

Oakmere chairman Phil Guest said: “Oakmere is a strong local club but we’re always looking to attract more members, particularly young players.

“Our policy is to keep improving facilities for all our members.”

Oakmere finished mid-table in Division One last season. They have two teams in the Meller Braggins League, one in the Chester Midweek League and a senior women’s team, as well as a thriving junior set-up.