Thankfully the 2021 league season for all of our teams looks set to be a full one this year. Despite the lack of winter training, pre-season has been decent and our Saturday 1st and 2nd team squads are looking very strong this year. With some high-quality additions to our roster of players, we’re hoping to be challenging in both Saturday leagues.

This weekend, sees the first league fixtures of the year with the 1st XI away to Downend and our 2nd XI at home to Hampset. You can read our Captains’ preview of the season here

Ahead of the season, we thought we’d throw a spotlight on some of our new players and introduce them to you all.

First up is left arm spinner, Sam Wheller. Sam has joined from Keynsham where he has played since his junior days and in recent years been a 1st XI stalwart. Asked what made him Join us at Combe Park, Sam says,

“Really it was the persistence and enthusiasm of Shaun Smith that made me think about moving. With the squad that’s been developed I can see some really exciting cricket this year for us and I felt that the opportunity and the timing was right to join – I can’t wait to get going and contribute to what is a really talented team’

Sam has settled in easily well with the squad and the wider club already - although he has admitted to some nervousness when meeting the players,

“I guess it’s not easy changing surroundings – especially when you’ve only played for one club, but everyone has been so friendly and welcoming. That makes a real difference. It’s been great meeting and chatting to the juniors and members too. Just seeing the number of people coming out to see us in the pre-season games has been great, it’s clearly a cricket club that the members really care about”

For those of you who were at Combe Park to watch our pre-season friendly against Bath a few weeks back, won’t have forgotten a masterly 97 from our Welsh recruit Connor Brown. Despite being only 24, Connor has a long career of representative cricket behind him already, representing Wales at all ages levels (he started out as a 9 year old for the Welsh U11s!). Since then he’s been contracted to Glamorgan and has been playing County 2nds this year so far as well as representing Wales. Connor was introduced to Lansdown by his Cardiff University Alumni, Oskar as they played together for the MCC. Asked why he decided to jump in and join, Connor told us:

“I remember playing at Combe Park when I was younger – it always stuck as we had to stop because of the Helicopter! I thought then it was a lovely ground and a great place to play and I always wanted to return. I’m dead excited to be playing at Lansdown now and we’ve got a really exciting bunch of players that can more than compete. I’m looking forward to scoring heaps of runs, contributing to the side and winning!’

Asked about the shot he got out with when on 97 against Bath last week, he replied,

‘That won’t happen again’.

Good answer Connor.

Finally, we have James Palmer who opened with Jordan Smith against Keynsham last week and scored an excellent 54 (should have been more than that James!). Some of you may recognise James’ surname as his grandfather was the Somerset all-rounder of the 1960’s, Ken Palmer. Ken later went on to be an international umpire. You can find some of our historic bats around the club bearing Ken’s autograph. There’s a great story about Ken’s first appearance at Combe Park, but this piece about James, so that can wait …

James is a fine cricketer and is currently completing his Masters Degree in Marketing at Cardiff University. James lives in Witney, Oxfordshire with his family. His recent cricket has been with Lechlade and at beautiful Mumbles in Swansea. Asked what drew him to Lansdown, he answered,

“I obviously know some of the lads from Cardiff but the chance to play West of England Premier One for Lansdown was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. It’s a great league and my father, grandfather and great grandfather have fond memories of Combe Park. Meeting the lads has been so easy and they are so welcoming - I can’t wait to get scoring runs and contributing to a really talented squad.”

I’m sure you’ll all join me and the club in welcoming our news boys this summer and wish them well for this season and many more to come.