Callington Cricket Club is looking forward to season 2000 with confidence and enthusiasm, following their signing of former County captain Godfrey Furse, one of the best known and well respected cricketers in Cornish cricket.
All rounder Furse did actually play a season for Callington in the late 1980s, and since then has been plying his trade for their East Cornwall rivals St Austell.
His arrival at New Road will galvanise the higher batting order, and his wily bowling will be invaluable.
However, Furse is not the only new arrival, after a busy close season. Following the departure of Nick White who has moved house to the Yeovil area, Callington are pleased to announce their signing of former Werrington captain and wicket keeper/batsman Andrew Jones, along with his specialist hard hitting batsman colleague Bill Prosser.
The club are also delighted that West Indian John Sylvester will be again thrilling the vociferous supporters, along with established local stars including Mark Pluckrose and the three Andrews - Snowdon, Hocking and Brenton.
Add into the mix the emerging talent of left armer James Shorten, and the enigmatic Simon Fitze, together with the fielding expertise of Lee Pascoe and captain Jamie Hatch has every reason to be happy.
There is also the mouth watering prospect of the club entertaining Somerset 1st Xl on August 14th, as part of Peter Bowler's Testimonial Year. Full details are available from Club Secretary Lewis Bond on 01579 - 383314 (24 hour answerphone)
Cornwall O-50s open new season on April 15
The county fixtures for the coming season include for the first time a match against the Isle of Wight, who are now included in the Western group.
The first league game is away against the Charmel islands in Jersey on Monday May 15th. The next two fixtures are both at home: against Somerset at St Austell on Thursday May 25th, and on Thursday June 15th at Cajlington against Wiltshire.
Cornwall are away to Dorset at Shillingstone on Thursday June 22nd, then on Thursday July 6 they play host to the Isle of Wight at Werrington.
The last home game is at Gunnislake on Wednesday July 26th against Hampshire, and the final game is away at Exmouth on Sunday 30th July against Devon.
All games start at 2.00 pin. Seventeen other friendly matches have also been arranged, starting at Tintagel on Saturday April 15th.
Cornwall U-19s play
at Liskeard
Liskeard Cricket Club started their pre-season friendlies on Sunday 16th April with the visit to Lux Park by Mylor who they played in last year's Wickham Wines final.
Already a lot of hard work has been put in behind the scenes on the score box and changing facilities, and with the continuing hard work put in on the square and outfield by Rob Marchant and Burt Bulmer, we hope this effort can be transferred to the players and give the club a successful season on the pitch.
We would like to thank the support of your local business which we do appreciate. A date for your diary is Friday June 23rd when Cornwall U19's play an East Cornwall XI at Lux Park your support will be welcomed. Back to Sunday, the match ball sponsored will be Marchington White team from D Skews, A Vince, M Rowe, S White, C Young, G Peters, E John, M Hancock, T Hyslop, C Crabb, N Nazir, S Terry and P Hooper. 2 pm start, players meet 1.30 pm.