2025 PREVIEWS: Doyle proud of his Old Xaverians overachievers

Mark Doyle wants to see more of the same from his Old Xaverians side as they begin their third season in Division One.

Survival will be the aim, as it was for the past two years – and if there’s one thing his side have proved they know how to do, it’s survive.

The departure of star all-rounder Dan Harrison to Liverpool will make things harder, but adversity should not be a problem for a tight-knit group used to punching above their weight.

Doyle said: “We do have the sense that we’re overachieving with what we set out to do each summer. 

“And it’s hard work, we come up against some very good players and teams, so the wins are hard-earned and very enjoyable.”

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There will be no headline-grabbing arrivals in Woolton this year, though Doyle is keen to extend an invitation to anyone in the area who fancies giving the game a try.

But the skipper hopes a united team will once again make things difficult for some much bigger names.

“It’s our decision and our ethos,” he said.

“It’s the way we want to do it, so no disrespect to the way anyone else goes about it. But the way we set out to play is as a cricket group.

“Heading into this year, we’re well aware of the size of the challenge but we’re all keen and ready to take it on again.

“Last year was a little bit harder than 2023, which went very well – it was harder but it remains a brilliant achievement to retain Division One status. 

“It took a lot of hard work but we got there.”

from Merseyside Cricket Online https://ift.tt/naTdwNL