CORSHAM have been busy recruiting new players during the winter and captain Neil Shardlow believes the current squad is one of the strongest at Station Road in recent years.

Corsham finished a disappointing sixth in Premier One last season, but the former Wiltshire wicketkeeper is confident his side can challenge the front-runners this campaign. Shardlow said: "Last year we still had a chance to finish second or third going into the final game against Cheltenham, but we let ourselves down.

"Looking around it seems that all the other sides have added to their squads from last year, so it should be a very competitive league.

"Our team is much stronger this year than it has been in the past, but we've got to be fired up right from the first game."

The introduction of Wiltshire batsman Michael Coles, from Bridgwater, and seamer Danny Chard, from Knowle, should provide Corsham with the ammunition to sustain a challenge.

South African batsman Chris Peyper has also joined the ranks from Bristol and Somerset outfit Claverham.

Shardlow said: "We had a look at Chris at the end of last season. He played a few games, scoring one hundred and a couple of 80s.

"It was good to watch him play and in the end it was an easy decision for the committee to sign him as our overseas player. "Chris has made a couple of good friends here at Corsham and I know he's going to fit in well with the rest of the lads. We have a great team spirit at the club."

Peyper top-scored for Corsham in a friendly against Wiltshire at Station Road, which the home side won by 25 runs. New signing John Parker impressed on debut, taking three for 34 in a tidy seven-over spell. Danny Chard, also playing his first game for the club, was the pick of the Corsham bowlers with two for 20. James Ashford-Brown also picked up two wickets on his return to action.

The fiery seamer joined the Royal Marines during the winter but has made himself available for the coming season, much to his captain's relief. Said Shardlow: "When James phoned me to say that he'd joined the Marines I couldn't believe it. He can't even swim.

"I spent ages making phone-calls trying to find a replacement for him, but then he called the other week to say he could play on Saturdays. It's a major boost to have him back." Corsham will however be without former Wiltshire seamer Toby Sharpe, who has moved to London, and top-order batsman Steve Silk, who has joined neighbours and local rivals Chippenham.