2025 PREVIEWS: Sutton squad have what it takes to compete in Division One, says skipper Noctor

Sutton’s Joe Noctor says his side have earned the right to show what they can do in Division One.

After sealing promotion in dramatic fashion, he is trusting the same group of players to adapt to the challenge.

The skipper, a former Rainford man, and ex-Hightown player Joe Smith are the only members of the squad to have played at this level before.

But Noctor believes his players have the quality to make the step up, having proved themselves over six seasons of steady improvement since earning promotion to the Comp.

“It’s going to be tough, but we’re looking forward to challenging ourselves,” said Noctor.

“We’re certainly capable of making the step up. 

“There are some really good players in Division One, but we’ve also got good players. 

“We’re going to have to learn quickly and it’s going to be different to be looking to survive rather than win every game, but everyone is excited to get going and see where it takes us. 

“There’s no real expectations from us, but we’re hoping we’ll surprise a few teams.”

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New Zealander Depp Bolingford, a seam bowling all-rounder, arrives to add firepower to the attack, and Noctor is looking forward to Jamie Greener being fully available again, having dipped in and out of the team since Covid.

The captain added: “Before then, he was regularly getting 400-500 runs a season, so he will be a big bonus.

“We’re really excited to get going, especially with the way last season ended in such dramatic circumstances. 

“After a couple of years of going close, it was great to finally go one step better.

“There’s a step up in quality, and a lot of teams bat down to 11. We have to be clinical, get runs on the board when we can and back our bowlers to bowl teams out.

“Survival is the main aim but we want to see how well we can do. If we can push on, then great.”

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