Meakins have big point to prove after returning to top table, says Jack Hammond

New Meakins captain Jack Hammond has experienced a whole range of emotions during his time at the club.

The 22-year-old linked up with the Ivy House Road club ahead of the 2019 season - and it’s been a rollercoaster ride.

Hammond helped the club to win the NSSCL Premier Division title in 2021, but they then suffered relegation misery just 12 months later.

Meakins did bounce back to the top flight at the first attempt, though, after sweeping to the Division One title last summer.

And Hammond, appointed as Pete Wilshaw’s successor for 2024, is determined to cement Meakins’ place back at the top table.

“It’s been a strange time for me at the club because winning the title was great and then we went down the next season,” said Hammond.

“A few things went against in the relegation year. Hilly (Michael Hill) left, but also we had an overseas who didn’t perform as we would have liked.

“Karl (High) then injured his knee four weeks in and when he did come back was bowling spin.

“We had a difficult start and were not really expecting it. It was weird to lose one game early on and you think ‘we will pick up’.

“And we didn’t do and all of a sudden you find yourselves at the bottom end.

“Relegation fired us up. A lot of sides enjoyed our failure and were perhaps laughing at us.

“We lost quite a few games and part of the motivation for us this year is to show that was just a blip.”

Meakins cruised back up last summer - and in some eyes are one of the teams who could launch a title challenge this summer.

They have plenty of players in their squad who sampled their last Premier success, but Hammond doesn’t want to be labelled as being contenders.

“Last year was part of a two-year plan. With no disrespect to the other sides in Division One, but it was perhaps the easiest part,” added Hammond.

“There was a bit of pressure on us because we were expected to come straight back up. We got some early results and confidence rose from there.

“This year is about kicking on and we want to be competitive.

“It’s been intentional for me not to talk about expectations this year. We don’t want to weigh ourselves down.

“But at the same time we are confident in the ability we have in the squad.

“We’ve put together a squad that we have total faith in.

“I don’t see the point in saying what we want to do, we want to take things game by game and get back into the swing of things in the Premier Division.”

Meakins marked their Premier Division return with a comfortable home win against Audley.

But their quest to back that up fell flat as they were beaten at Leek last weekend.

“In the Audley game there were a couple of moments where we were under pressure, but we ended up beating them comfortably enough without getting out of second or third gear,” explained Hammond, whose side host Stone SP this weekend.

“Leek were riding high and we were well under par. There were positive things to take, though, and without saying too much there were three or four 50-50 moments in the game which, if they had gone our way, could have seen a different result.

“We know we’ve not quite clicked yet, but when it does we know we can be a dangerous side.”

Hammond may be young in cricket terms to be taking on the captaincy.

However, he has a wealth of experience to draw on in the dressing room to help him learn his trade.

“We’ve got a lot of Premier Division experience and players who have played minor counties cricket,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman.

“I was excited to be named as captain. I thought I would get a chance to do it at some point, but probably not this early.

“I’m still a young lad and I’m learning on the job to a degree. The lads have been brilliant with me and there’s no extra weight on my shoulders.

“There’s loads of experience in our side and I know I can go to them if I need any advice.”

Stone SP make tomorrow’s trip having also won one and lost one.

They beat Longton on the first weekend, but lost out to champions Hem Heath last Saturday.

“All in all, there’s been lots to build on in the two games so far,” said captain Sam Graham.

“The first game was really promising. There’s been a lot of talk between us as a group, so to go out and score 225 was really encouraging.

“After losing the toss, that was a near-perfect batting performance. It was also a decent performance with the ball, although there was a bit of rustiness about.

“It was a tough match against Hem Heath. Liam Banks scored a hundred and he was the difference between the two sides.

“We got hammered by them twice last year, so to push them close this season was pleasing.

“The players were frustrated at the end, but we have to look at the positives that we’ve run the champions close.”

Graham’s side head to Meakins tomorrow before facing Porthill Park next weekend.

However, Graham believes his players can shine against the division’s heavyweights.

“We’ve had a tough set of fixtures to start the season,” added Graham.

“We’ve started ok after two games, so we don’t have to fear anyone and we have to back our skills.

“The younger players in the side have another year’s experience and that is only going to lead us to producing more consistent performances.

“We’ve finished ninth, eighth and seventh in the last few seasons, so we’re heading in the right direction.

“We’d like to end up higher than that this summer.”

Stone SP strengthened their squad over the winter with the additions of Warrick Fynn and William Hobson.

Fynn is an all-rounder who has represented Shropshire, while Hobson is a top-order batsman.

“It’s good to have Warrick with us. His is an experienced cricketer who has been in England for 10 to 15 years,” said Graham.

“He has a lot of know-how and brings skills with both bat and ball.

“It’s exciting to have him here because he’s a strong voice in the dressing room who can help the younger players.

“William has settled in really well. He plays the game in the right way. Technically he’s a really good player.”

Hobson’s arrival at the top of the order has seen a change of role for Graham.

He has previously opened the batting with George Hawbrook, but has now dropped down to number four to accommodate Hobson.

“I’m 31 now, so I’m probably at my peak and I have to deliver now,” added Graham.

“I’m taking responsibility in a different way. If we lose early wickets I can try to get us out of a difficult situation or if we are doing well I can helped to finish off the innings.

“William wanted to open the batting and four is a position I’ve batted in before.”