Delph want success to continue

MOMENTUM . . . Andrew Gleave led Delph to great success in 2016

DELPH skipper Andrew Gleave just wants his team to maintain their successful momentum this season in the Drakes Huddersfield League.

Last year was a campaign that dreams are made of for the Huddersfield Road outfit.

Delph swept all before them, remaining unbeaten throughout the whole of 2016 as they won the treble of Premiership title, Twenty20 Trophy and Sykes Cup.

There have been a couple of tweaks to the squad in the winter, but ahead of Saturday's Premiership opener at Kirkburton, Gleave is not being greedy.

He said: "Last season was mind-blowing really. We couldn't put a foot wrong.

"We just want to keep the momentum going this year I guess.

"I don't expect us to win everything again this year, though having said that I don't want us to do a Leicester, as their football team struggled after winning the title. We will be keen to defend our title of course, and we're confident we can do.

"Winning it back-to-back would be a real achievement - anything on top of that would be a bonus.

"We want to prove that last year's title win wasn't a fluke. Nobody has said that about us, but really good sporting sides do go on winning trophies year after year and that's what we're all hoping to do."

Heading out of the door at Delph in pre-season have been Chris Laker - to Northern CC in the Liverpool Competition - and Greg Buckley, who has returned to be with his family in Australia.

However, Gleave's team have recruited well.

They have drafted in former England and Yorkshire under-19s prospect Mosun Hussain and left-arm quickie Michael Finan - both 20 - from Prestwich.

Lancashire's Oldham-born all-rounder Luke Procter is another high-profile recruit, while his county colleague Arron Lilley will continue at Delph.

Overseas star Shreevats Goswami isn't available until next weekend, while Gleave himself is still a couple of weeks away from fitness after breaking his ankle in an accident over the winter.

Delph get their Sykes Cup defence under way on Sunday, April 30, after being drawn at home to either Hall Bower or Emley Clarence in the first round stage.

In the Twenty20 Trophy, Delph have been drawn in group three alongside Armitage Bridge, Thongsbridge and Broad Oak.

Matches are scheduled to be played on Tuesdays, June 13, 20 and 27.