Cricket: New Trowbridge captain Peter Hickerton is refusing to set long-term targets but has insisted his side must kick-start their season with a series of victories.

The Premier Division Two side venture into the unknown this weekend when they travel to Taunton, who won promotion last year.

Hickerton, who has taken over the captaincy from Assad Fudadin, says it is vital they start as they mean to go on.

“It’s a good deck to bat on at Taunton so we’d probably rather go there in a month or two,” he said.

“But it should be fun and it should be a good challenge. They’ve just come back up so we’re not sure what they’re like. We need a good start though and after the first four or so weeks we can re-assess.

“If we can get four wins from six in that time then I’d be over the moon but we’ll see how it goes.”

Hickerton is unsure if the free-scoring Fudadin will return to the club this summer, but four new players have signed on and are ready to compete for first team places.

Opening batsman Alex Hart, Imitaz Ahmed, Shazzad Khan and opening bowler Joe Dorgan have made the move and the skipper’s first impressions of the quartet are positive.

“All four are new to Trowbridge and there are a few young guys coming through as well,” said Hickerton, entering his tenth year at the club.

“I’m really impressed all the way through. There’s a good atmosphere around the place.

“We’ve got a young team this year but everyone is working hard, having fun and trying to improve - that’s the key thing.”

Rich Holbrook and Rich Edginton are unlikely to feature all season as their partners are heavily pregnant. Rob Russam and Andy Hales will only be available on selected dates for similar reasons.

l IN the Wiltshire Division newly-promoted Calne entertain neighbours Goatacre in a local derby and Westinghouse travel to Nationwide House while Winsley begin at Marlborough.