By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

PLYMSTOCK have started squad building for another bash at clambering out of the Tolchards DCL B Division.

Tom Mitch, who was appointed captain last season, made it his stated aim to bounce straight back into the A Division following relegation the summer before.

Plymstock almost did it. They were in the top two until the last month of the season, but defeats by Clyst St George then Bovey dropped them down to third and out of the promotion picture.

Mitch is still gunning for promotion – and isn’t afraid to say so.

“Really excited to bring in a few new faces, joining for various reasons from different parts of the country,” said Mitch. “They will give us a lot of quality and depth moving into 2026, when we hope to do one better than last season.”

New Zealander Chester Oldfield, a top-order batsman who bowls off-spin, is the high-profile signing as Plymstock’s overseas player.

Chester plays for New Plymouth & Marist United CC and has also representative cricket for Taranaki,” said Mitch.

Oldfield is having a decent season in the Taranaki Cricket Association two-day competition, where he is averaging nearly 30 with a top score of 128. He has also reached three figures in white-ball cricket.

All-rounder Adam Frost has arrived from Pudsey St Lawrence, who play in the Bradford Premier League.  He made a top score of 123 against Bowling Old Lane last season and trousered a four-wicket haul against Yeadon.

Max Castledine read all about Plymstock on their social media pages and felt it was the right club for him. Three first-team 50s for Terling in the Mid-Essex Premier Division feature on last season’s spread sheet.

Chris Davies, a bowler formerly with Callington, is back playing cricket after a break from the game.

A signing who won’t need much in the way of introductions is batting all-rounder Sam White, who has trodden the well-worn path from Plymouth to Dean Cross.

White bats and bowls, although it is his explosive approach to the former he is best known for.