LEE Cole will be doubling up as Barnstaple & Pilton’s club chairman and first-team captain in the season ahead.

Cole is no stranger to the chairman’s role having had a previous stint between 2016-2018.

“I have also taken over as chairman for a second time due to Peter Gleave stepping down at the end of last season,” said Cole.

Barnstaple & Pilton were up among the front runners in D Division East up to halfway last season, but faded from the promotion picture in July and August and finished just below mid-table. 

The second team finished fourth in the H Division East after a break of three years from league cricket. Clive Ball will lead the side this season.

Cole is aiming for better outcomes across the board at Raleigh Meadow in 2024.

“The main aim for the season is for the first and second teams to improve on last season and go out and enjoy our cricket,” said Cole, who has all of last summer’s squads to draw on.

Pre-season nets at Park School start on Friday March 1 (6.30-8pm) and will run for four weeks.

Warm-up matches during the pre-season phase have been arranged against Filleigh Ilfracombe and Braunton.

BIDEFORD have confirmed that Ewan Williams will be returning from Australia to play for them again in 2024.

Williams, whose home-town club is Traralgon in Victoria, scored nearly 800 runs and took 34 wickets in all league and cup competitions last season. His standout performances in the DCL were a four-wicket haul against Bridestowe and 68 in a five-wicket win at Barton.