It’s fair to say that Dumbleton Cricket Club play at one of the premier grounds in the county and probably the country.

Set in glorious countryside in front of the imposing Dumbleton Hall just nine miles east of Tewkesbury, it is the perfect spot to play cricket on a Saturday afternoon or any other afternoon for that matter.

And it’s equally fair to say that the players of the club’s flagship team are premier players because they are preparing for a second season in Premier Two Gloucestershire/Wiltshire.

That is just one rung below the elite level in the West of England Premier League which is some achievement for a village club.

And as with last season when they finished sixth in the 10-strong division, they are certainly not looking to just make up the numbers.

Adam Stuart will take charge for a second season in what is his second spell as captain and while the team performed well in 2018, from a personal point of view he is hoping for better this time around.

“I only played half a season because I had a quadruple hernia,” he said.

Fortunately the 32-year-old is now fit and ready for a full season. Ben Tegg stepped in as skipper last time out and Stuart continued: “We were pleased with what we achieved overall last season.

“We’re hoping for another year of consolidation. Everyone is quietly confident but we’ve got to be respectful of the other teams, there are some big clubs in the division.”

Indeed there are with the likes of Frocester, Goatacre and Thornbury all likely to be pushing for promotion and Stuart believes it is a stronger division this season.

Dumbleton’s chances of going toe-to-toe with those clubs have been improved by the capture of their overseas signing, New Zealander Mitch Hammond.

Hammond is in his early 20s and he’s a batsman who also bowls off-spin.

“He’s a big part of what we want to do this season,” added Stuart.

So how good is he?

“He’s better than me,” added Stuart with a laugh.

And while that may prove to be true over the next four months or so, there is no doubting Stuart’s importance to the team.

He’s the elder statesman in what is a young team – “We’ve got some really good kids,” said Stuart – and is a true all-rounder because as well as captaining the side he also bats and bowls.

“I’ll bat anywhere from one to 10,” he said. “Last season I opened the match against Thornbury and made 88 and the previous week I had been due to bat at 10.”

Stuart is equally adaptable when it comes to his bowling.

“I bowl really slow seamers,” he said. “I feel bad calling it seam. But if it’s green and there are long boundaries…!”

Stuart will bowl himself when it’s to the benefit of the team, of course, and after last season’s problems he certainly can’t wait for the new campaign to start.

“It’s nice to be back,” he said.

Dumbleton open their league season at home to Chippenham on Saturday 4th May.