NEW Clyst St George skipper Mark Couch is hoping the club's colts will be challenging for senior places in the season ahead in the Devon League.

It's been a winter of change at the Bohea Field with a number of new faces in key positions.

Couch has replaced Graham White as first XI captain with Chris Doe taking on the second XI job in succession to Oz Besley.

Besley has taken over as chairman from long-serving Paul Laverick, whose attentions have shifted to youth cricket.

Couch said the key to maintaining the club's success in recent seasons — the main one being getting promoted to the B Division — is bringing on the young players.

"On the playing side we hope to see a number of the colts break through to the second XI next season," said Couch.

"It is only a matter of time until all the hard work with the youth section is rewarded with some home-grown talent making it into the first team."

It is a sign of how important youth is to the club that the vastly experienced Laverick has been appointed to the new role of director of cricket.

Laverock will take on the responsibilities for expanding the youth section, with the assistance of volunteer club members.

Besley is probably the youngest chairman in the club's history. He skippered the second XI for six seasons.

Couch believes the club can go from strength to strength under the new regime.

"The club is in a very healthy state at the moment," said Couch.

"The changes we have made to the ground and facilities over the last few years have benefited both the players and the spectators."

Clyst have already started weekly practice sessions at the new Devon Cricket Centre at the University of Exeter.

Details of the sessions can be found on the club website at www.clyststgeorgecc.co.uk. New players of all ages welcome.