BEAMINSTER captain Chris Park believes enjoyment is key for his new-look squad as they seek a successful season in County Division Two.

Park’s men tackle Parley Seconds away in their opening match on Saturday (1.30pm).

Park has taken over from previous skipper Ross Baker, with Will Moss named vice-captain, as Beaminster attempt to bounce back from relegation in the 2021 season.

Beaminster have made five impressive signings over the winter, with batters Billy Wallbridge and Ben Golledge plus seamer Tim Hey joining.

Off-spinning all-rounder James Butler also switches from Abbotsbury, while Lahiru Abeywickrama has already shown impressive form after claiming four wickets last weekend against Cattistock & Symene Thirds.

READ MORE: Cattistock & Symene captaincy an 'exciting challenge' for Steve Tucker

Speaking to the Bridport News, Park said: “Last season getting relegated was disappointing but the team spirit was probably as good as I’ve known it – and I’ve been playing for Beaminster for over 30 years.

“With some new additions in the side I’m optimistic.”

And Park explained how the new acquisitions were tempted across to the Memorial Ground.

He said: “We’ve secured Tim and Billy

Walbridge from Cattistock, it’s remarkable. We’re very glad to have them on board.

“Him and Ben actually have moved over mainly because of the youth setup that Beaminster have got and the work that Ross has done over the last 10 years.

“Billy’s kid, Ben’s kid and Tim’s kid have all come through the youth academy, so we’re now seeing the fruits of Ross’s hard work.”

With Beaminster also entering a second team into the new County Division Seven this season, competition for places is high.

Park said: “It’s nice to have a squad to choose from, I know last year Ross several times rang me and said he had six players on a Friday night.

“I know the struggles Ross had last season and I’m under no illusion it’s going to be this easy every week.

“Ross had hard work and now all of a sudden I’ve got hard work because we’re having to leave people out.

“For the first time in probably 10 years we’ve got a second team, so all the youth players that are coming up have men’s cricket to play, instead of playing too high a division with the first team or go elsewhere to play.”

He added: “Considering we got relegated last season it would’ve been quite easy for people to say: ‘No, I’m not doing that again’.

“But it actually brought the little squad that we had closer together and we enjoyed ourselves.

“That’s really what I want us to do going forward.

“We’ve all got jobs Monday to Friday, we play cricket for a laugh at the weekend and that’s what I want to enforce as a message to my team – to have fun.”

Beaminster: Park, W Moss, Golledge, Baker, Fowler, A Moss, Jones, Abeywickrama, Edmunds, H Everitt, Hollely.

Beaminster Seconds open their campaign at home to Shaftesbury Seconds on Saturday (1.30pm).