Julian Wood Basingstoke & North Hants skipper Dan Belcher reckons Julian Wood’s appointment as coach has had been a major factor in the club’s Southern Premier Division 1 season being turned on its head.
After losing their opening three matches, Basingstoke – who were relegated from the ECB Premier Division at the end of 2019 – feared a second consecutive demotion with the prospects of third tier cricket looming if things didn’t improve.
But an astonishing turn around has seen Basingstoke win their last six matches and climb into fourth place and on to the fringe of the promotion race.
“We’re benefitting from the proper structure Julian’s put in place. He’s a renowned world class coach and he’s already taken us to a new level, pushing us harder and harder.
“Julian hasn’t come in and tried to take over, but has upped our levels of intensity. This has allowed the group to enjoy the training and matches and instil an important sense of belief.
“We’ve arguably been complacent in the past, but now we’re training twice a week. A serious session on Wednesday evenings followed by pre-match nets on Fridays.
“Everyone has bought into it and we’re virtually putting out the same side every Saturday which is fantastic.”
George Metzger’s return to May’s Bounty after a short spell at Havant has been another boost, although the former Hampshire Academy prospect hasn’t had much of an opportunity to aid the cause, just yet.
“We’ve got a good squad of young players, with 19-year old Tyler Bradley topping the Division 1 wicket taking list, Joe Oates batting well and the Neal brothers, Ash and Ben performing well,” Belcher added.
“What I’ve tried to do is to get some fun back, enjoy each other’s company, but also to install responsibility into the players and its been paying off.”
With five matches remaining, Basingstoke are effectively 20 points adrift of leaders Totton & Eling, with (on paper) a pretty favourable run-in.
“Totton’s last two games are against Calmore Sports and New Milton, so its going to go to the wire. We have to win every game – starting at Portsmouth on Saturday – so that will concentrate everyone’s minds, I’m sure,” he concluded.
Basingstoke & North Hants have appointed Julian Wood as head coach on a three-year deal, which they hope will be the stepping-stone to the May’s Bounty club re-establishing itself as one of the county’s leading sides.
After losing their opening three matches, Basingstoke – who were relegated from the ECB Premier Division at the end of 2019 – feared a second consecutive demotion with the prospects of third tier cricket looming if things didn’t improve.
But an astonishing turn around has seen Basingstoke win their last six matches and climb into fourth place and on to the fringe of the promotion race.
“We’re benefitting from the proper structure Julian’s put in place. He’s a renowned world class coach and he’s already taken us to a new level, pushing us harder and harder.
“Julian hasn’t come in and tried to take over, but has upped our levels of intensity. This has allowed the group to enjoy the training and matches and instil an important sense of belief.
“We’ve arguably been complacent in the past, but now we’re training twice a week. A serious session on Wednesday evenings followed by pre-match nets on Fridays.
“Everyone has bought into it and we’re virtually putting out the same side every Saturday which is fantastic.”
George Metzger’s return to May’s Bounty after a short spell at Havant has been another boost, although the former Hampshire Academy prospect hasn’t had much of an opportunity to aid the cause, just yet.
“We’ve got a good squad of young players, with 19-year old Tyler Bradley topping the Division 1 wicket taking list, Joe Oates batting well and the Neal brothers, Ash and Ben performing well,” Belcher added.
“What I’ve tried to do is to get some fun back, enjoy each other’s company, but also to install responsibility into the players and its been paying off.”
With five matches remaining, Basingstoke are effectively 20 points adrift of leaders Totton & Eling, with (on paper) a pretty favourable run-in.
“Totton’s last two games are against Calmore Sports and New Milton, so its going to go to the wire. We have to win every game – starting at Portsmouth on Saturday – so that will concentrate everyone’s minds, I’m sure,” he concluded.
Basingstoke & North Hants have appointed Julian Wood as head coach on a three-year deal, which they hope will be the stepping-stone to the May’s Bounty club re-establishing itself as one of the county’s leading sides.
