AFTER leading his side to second place in Southern League Division Two for the past two seasons, Hook and Newnham Basics captain Ben Thane is hoping to go one better in 2012.

Hook get their season started with a home game against Paultons on Saturday – and Thane has his sights set on a successful campaign.

“We are hoping to go one better and win the league this year,” he said. “We need individuals to stand up like they did last year, but if everyone does that we should do pretty well.

“We have got good strength in depth and I am not exactly sure who will be in the team on Saturday, which is a good thing. I am very happy with the players at my disposal and hopefully we will do well.”

Hook have made three big additions over the winter. Batsman Adam Robinson and bowler Neil Robinson have been brought in from Oakley, while all-rounder Kevin Light is another new addition.

However, they will have to do without all-rounders Chad Ratnayake and Jordan Hobday. Ratnayake has returned to Sri Lanka, while Hobday, who missed last season with a knee injury, has joined division one side Bashley Rydal – but Thane remains confident.

“We are just as strong as we were last year,” he added. “We might miss Chad as an all-rounder, but he did not play every game so as long as some of the other lads step up we should be fine.

“We were a seamer shy last year but the other bowlers made up for that. Shane Brewer was our top wicket taker and hopefully he will have another good season, while young Ben Peat and Alex Cates are in the front running to open the bowling with him this weekend.”

It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks for Hook, with the rain wiping out both of their warm-up games, and Thane is itching to get started.

“We have not played at all outdoors so the first game on Saturday could be interesting,” he said. “Everyone is looking forward to it though and as long as there is not too much rain the pitch should be fine.”