Doleman Cup starts

TWO STALWARTS: OBR batsman Ian Loffler goes on to the front foot to drive, as High School Old Boys wicketkeeper Glen Udall (this year playing for Gisborne Boys' High School) watches closely. Loffler will captain the OBR Senior A team this season after spending time in the Senior B grade. File picture by Paul Rickard

CRICKET starts tomorrow — another sign that summer is almost here.

OBR will play High School Old Boys, and Horouta will play Gisborne Boys' High School in the opening round of the Doleman Cup.

Defending champions Bollywood Stars HSOB will be hoping their form from last year will carry over.

They have retained the nucleus of the side who won the title, while adding additional talent with the likes of Tyler Phelps.

Coastal Concrete OBR's Matt Cook said the team would have Ian Loffler back in the squad for one final season.

Loffler is coming back into the team after playing in the lower grades for the past few years and will captain the side.

Cook said it was exciting to have someone so important to the club in the first-team fold again.

“There were a few guys on the fence, and when they heard he (Loffler) said he'd play, they decided they would, too.”

“We've had a few pre-season trainings; the boys look good. They're excited, especially with Ian back in the team.

“The boys want to send him off on a winning note.”

Poverty Bay Cricket Association chairman Isaac Hughes said he was excited about the start of the new season.

“The key this season was getting back to four premier sides,” he said.

“Full credit to Gisborne Boys' High for bringing back their premier side.”

Boys' High, sponsored this year by Galaxy World Gisborne, will field a team in the premier--grade competition after missing last season because the team was too young.

Coach Mal Trowell said the team had enlisted senior players to give the team a boost, as they're in a “building period”, with still a relatively young squad.

Trowell, in his first year coaching the first 11, said they would be looking to start on the right foot this weekend to cement their place in the tournament.

They will be captained by Trowell's son Nathan, who is handy with both the ball and bat.

The team is made up primarily of first 11 cricketers, but they've also enlisted some high-quality adult players to bolster their line-up and provide mentorship.