2025 PREVIEWS: Johansen keen to showcase local talent as Colwyn Bay return to the top flight

Colwyn Bay are once again flying the flag for Wales in the Premier Division of the Love Lane Liverpool Competition.

George Johansen’s side pipped Firwood Bootle to the Division One title last year and earned a shot at stabilising in the top flight after a yo-yo few years.

Now the skipper wants to show the rest of the Comp what North Wales has to offer.

He said: “We’ve got some young lads coming through, so it’s good to get some local talent involved and see what they can do. 

“I’m proud that Colwyn Bay are in such a strong league.

“I think it’s a good thing, I certainly view it as that.

“But the North Wales league are also very proud of keeping their homegrown talent in their league, so there is a bit of a divide in that sense.”

Sri Lankan spinner Dulanjana Mendis returns after leading last season’s promotion charge with 83 wickets.

And young seam bowling all-rounder Charlie Collins, part of the North Wales county set-up, arrives from Northop.

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Last season’s top scorer, Will Evans, has returned to Mochdre, and veteran left-arm spinner Paul Jenkins will be playing for Northop Hall in Division Two.

But with the likes of Zack Gidlow and Sion Morris keen to improve on their showing in 2023, when Bay made an instant return to Division One, Johansen is confident in his squad’s quality.

“We have lost a few players over the winter,” the skipper added.

“But it’s an opportunity for other people.”

As for whether his players can arrest the yo-yo trend this year, Johansen is more concerned with them doing themselves proud on the pitch.

He said: “It’s all about trying to play to our potential and see where we can get to. 

“I don’t want to pigeonhole us into a certain position, we’re just going to try to play positive cricket and win some games.

“If we can do that, hopefully we can not only stay up but also upset a few teams along the way.”

from Merseyside Cricket Online https://ift.tt/nKk2d35