HARWICH and Dovercourt Cricket Club are hoping to continue their “upward curve” this season – and setting their sights on a top-four finish.

The Low Road club begin their Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division five campaign at Kesgrave tomorrow.

Sam Felgate’s side finished eighth last year, having scrapped to avoid relegation the season before.

And the club skipper insists that another summer of progressand improvement would be something to be proud of.

“We’re on an upward curve and it’s about continually improving,” he told the Standard.

“Two years ago we had to scrap to stay in division five, but last season we finished several places higher and were never in danger of going down.

“It would be great to keep improving and hopefully push for a top-four finish.

“That would be an achievement in what’s a strong division.

“I feel we’re well-prepared and if we can keep a settled side and have a core of eight or nine who are available most weeks, we could have a chance."

“There certainly aren’t any teams we’re wary of or fear, because we know we can beat anyone on our day.”

One setbackfor Harwich is that Dinesh Devdas has returned home to India.

However, Felgate says other key players should be available on a more regular basis – and he also has high hopes for some of the club’s best up-and-coming young talent.

“It’s certainly a blow to lose Dinesh,” said the skipper, who is also Harwich and Parkeston’s goalkeeper.

“He was my player-of-the-season and won a few games almost single-handedly for us.

“However, on the positive side, a couple of other players should be available more regularly.

“Richard Bushell could only play every other week because of his work commitments, while Aaron Bilton also had to miss a lot of games.

“He only played in eight of nine matches and finished as our top-scorer, which shows how important he is.

“We’ve also retained the services of our vice-captain – and last year’s players’ player – Steve Bushell.

“He’s very important for us and it’s a massive boost to have his services with both bat and ball this season."

Felgate is also buoyed by the emergence of some talented young cricketers at the club.

Sixteen-year-old Brandon Carter looks set to play a big role as a top-order batsman, while Essex under-14 spinner Tom Humphries is another “one to watch”.

“It’s exciting to have young players of this calibre coming through the ranks,” said Felgate.

“Brandon has really impressed me.

“He looks so comfortable and has so much potential.

“I think he could do a really good job coming in at number three.

“Tom is another with a big future.

“He’s a wrist spinner who puts the ball in the right areas.”