Despite the recent vagaries of a climate that seems to alternate between monsoon conditions and the big freeze, plans are well underway for the 2013 season at Ottery St Mary Cricket Club, writes Ian Townsend.

Regular weekend working parties of club members are already beavering away at further enhancing the facilities at their Salston Field base, particular attention being given to revamping of the practice nets and improving the drainage of the outfield, whilst pre-season training for both senior and junior players will shortly commence.

Having performed solidly in their debut seasons in higher divisions during 2012, the Men’s 1st and 2nd XIs will once again be plying their trade in the C and 2nd XI B Divisions respectively of the Francis Clark Devon League. The new campaign will see some interesting innovations including the abolition of drawn matches via win/lose contests played over 45 overs, a compulsion to use at least five bowlers during the course of an innings and, in 1st XI leagues only, the adoption of power plays. The club will also be running a Sunday friendly side.

Winter training for senior players will commence on Friday, February 15 at the Colin Tooze Sports Centre in Ottery St Mary. The two hour sessions (8-10pm), which will continue for the following five Fridays, will comprise net practice, fitness and core strength exercises plus fielding drills. Outdoor training at the club’s Strawberry Lane ground will commence at the start of April and will be held every Tuesday evening (6-30 to 8-30pm) throughout the season. All sessions will be overseen by ECB qualified coaches. Any potential new players should contact Jody Clements on 07532 284009.

The Otters’ thriving youth academy, boasting well in excess of 100 players, will once again be making a major contribution to the Bradley’s East Devon League in 2013. The club is likely to be fielding no less than nine youth sides comprising two U10 softball teams, two U11 hard ball pairs sides and 11-a-side teams at U11, U12, U13, U14 and U15 level! Winter training sessions for the U12, U13 and U14 age groups will begin on Sunday, February 24, also at Colin Tooze Sports Centre.

Training will continue for four subsequent Sundays with U12/U13 sessions taking place from 6-7pm and U14s from 7-8pm. Training will comprise practice nets, cricket-based games and work on technical skills.

U15s should attend the senior training sessions detailed above. Outdoor training, commencing at the beginning of April, will take place every Friday evening (6-30 to 8pm) at Strawberry Lane until mid-August.

Any potential new players, male or female, should contact Rob Southall-Brown on 01404 841427.

Rob would also be delighted to hear from any parents interested in managing a team at U10 softball, U11 pairs or U13 level.