GH Smit’s capture from Mavericks should give Rovers a massive boost in all competitions. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0355967)
ROVERS were the team to benefit from the biggest transfer move over the winter.
The Port Soif-based club were delighted to welcome GH Smit into their ranks from Mavericks, who are now known as Argyll Investment.
And who wouldn’t be? The South African was named the 2007 player of the year and top Evening League Division One performer at the GCA awards last September.
The hard-hitting right-hander smacked 966 runs over the season at an average of 69. He also took 30 wickets with his off spin.
‘It’s great stuff,’ said Rovers captain Stuart Bisson about Smit’s signing.
‘Not only is he a great cricketer, he’s a lovely man as well.
‘He can tear apart any bowling attack and he’s an underestimated off-spinner. He’s also good on a night out.’
But Smit was not the only transfer into Rovers over the close-season.
After turning out for Rovers in the weekend league last summer, promising leg-spinner Luke Nussbaumer and tall seamer Liam Smyth have both come in from Cobo for the evening league as well.
Another ex-Cobo player to have joined is batsman Robbie Moore, who had a season out of cricket last year.
Also new is all-rounder Jack Byrne, who has moved from Optimists.
‘We’re over the moon to welcome them,’ said Bisson.
‘They are all good cricketers and top lads.’
Moore looks set to open the batting with veteran Richard Head-ington who missed last season with a knee injury. They will look to lay the foundations for Smit and then Tim Duke.
The graceful right-hander and opening bowler is raring to go having been dropped from the Guernsey team for last year’s inter-insular.
‘He’ll be pushing off from his long run-up this season and I’m expecting more good things from our most consistent player from the last few years,’ said Bisson.
Bisson, who had a few decent knocks under his belt last summer, will also provide runs along with his brother, Muratti goalkeeper Jody.
Under-17s island opener Robbie Le Corre is another who is capable of getting the scoreboard ticking over.
The 16-year-old is a fluent left-hander and he looked good last year.
Le Corre will also be called upon to bowl his lively left-arm swing.
Another Rovers junior who can send the ball down at pace is Leo Rice.
‘With Robbie and Leo and also the new signings of Luke and Jack, there’s a youthful exuberance around the side which will hopefully be reflected in some high-energy performances,’ said Bisson.
The captain will more than likely take the new ball with Duke.
Another quick bowler who will feature down at Port Soif is Neil Purdon.
The South African is newly arrived in the island and could be a handful for opposing batsmen.
Spin is provided by former Guernsey off-spinner Aaron Scoones, Nussbaumer and Smit.
The one downside to Rovers’ winter was that they lost Ryan Bishop.
The South-African keeper-batsman was a real hit in his one season in the island that saw him named the weekend league player of the year and win an inter-insular cap.
He left to join the Cardiff UCCE cricket academy and will be Finchley’s professional in the Middlesex League this summer.
‘It’s a blow because he’s a top-quality player,’ said Bisson.
‘Any side would miss the best keeper on the island. He could hold a bat as well.’
Jody Bisson will don the gloves in his absence.
With Smit’s signature and what has happened at other clubs, Rovers must be considered to be the second team in Guernsey after Cobo.
But Bisson is refusing to talk up his team.
‘I am not going to stick my neck out and say where we’ll finish but the signings are good for a Rovers revival,’ he said.
‘With the largest influx of players that I’ve known in my short tenure – new people bring new ideas which is always good.’
Loading ...
Share this article:
What are these?