DEDICATED Andy Newton is confident Nantwich CC will challenge for silverware in his 25th season with the club.

The influential right-handed batsman made his first team debut at Whitehouse Lane as a 14-year-old in 1983 - the same year Dario Gradi joined Crewe Alex - and has featured in every season since.

Skipper for 11 seasons between 1993-2003, 37-year-old Newton is back as captain for the coming season, and believes the Dabbers have the right blend of youth and experience to make his silver anniversary memorable in more ways than one.

He said: 'It is a big honour to be captain. I have plenty of experience and know all about handling different characters.

'We have a lot of good young lads, mixed with a handful of experienced players. If they deliver what we think they are capable of, I have high hopes we will be right up near the top of the league.

'I do see helping younger players fulfil their potential as a major part of my role, but I want to be scoring runs myself. I'm not ready to be called a veteran yet.'

Drawing eight of their 22 games hampered Nantwich last season, but they still finished a creditable sixth in the CD Bramall Trucks League's top division.

It was a year of development for promising youngsters such as Ollie Sadler, Nick James, Ray Doyle, Phil Stockton, Chris Simpson and Rob Cook-Sieve-wright, who have progressed through the club's outstanding JU21 side.

They should play a massive part in the 2007 campaign, along with new signings James Warrington, an opening bowler from Alsager, and Rob Porter, a top order batsman and off-spin bowler from Congleton.

Combined with the know-how of the likes of Newton, Jeff Maynard and Barrington Browne, the Dabbers will boast a line-up which could pose a serious threat.

One major blow is the loss of Aussie batsman Steve Paulsen, who won the ECB Premier Division's Player of the Year Award after top-scoring with 929 runs.

But Newton, who actually first played for the club's second team in 1982, insists the Queensland star could yet help his side's push: 'Steve is a good friend of mine. He is staying in Australia this year, but could be back with us in 2008.

'In the meantime, he is going to recommend an overseas player to us. We have a few names and are working on it. With Steve's help, we will have an excellent overseas player at Nantwich soon.'

Last year's skipper Chris Hampshire will be vice-captain this year, while 2nds captain Simon Blackledge will be backed up by Ben Mogg.

Neil Forster will take charge of the 3rds with the help of vice-captain Pete Bailey, while Eoghan McTiernan will lead the 4ths, with Paul Livingstone second in command. Wayne Morgan skippers the Over-40s.

Nantwich CC's indoor nets sessions are under way, from 6.30pm on Tuesdays, at Sandbach School, Crewe Road.

For information on Nantwich CC, call Andy Newton on 07970834812.