Churchill CC captain Ben Corfield said it would be “stupid” if the club didn’t aim for promotion ahead of their Somerset League opener at North Curry this Saturday.

Churchill are back in Division Four for the first time since 2015 after winning the Division 6N title last year.

The Recreation Ground outfit will go into Saturday’s encounter close to Taunton with renewed confidence after three wins from three pre-season friendlies against Mark, Stanton Drew and a Lympsham & Belvedere friendly XI.

And Corfield says the side are full of excitement ahead of Saturday’s first league game of the season.

Weston Mercury: Cam Polledri and Kyran Gale celebrate taking the wicket of Jon Lodge in Churchill's 10-wicket win against Lympsham & Belvedere Friendly XI.Cam Polledri and Kyran Gale celebrate taking the wicket of Jon Lodge in Churchill's 10-wicket win against Lympsham & Belvedere Friendly XI. (Image: Archant)

“We are all really looking forward to it,” he said.

“We are looking to keep going up as a club. Get our name out there. The main thing is for us to get promoted.

“All the lads are really excited to aim for promotion and really go for it this year in Division Four against some tougher opponents.

“I think we have got the team to do it. Honestly our team is really young, really energetic, we love our cricket. I think not to aim for promotion would be stupid of us.

“Obviously we will see how this season goes but the main aim has to be promotion. I think that’s what we are really looking for this year.”

Weston Mercury: Oli Masters bowling for Churchill CC during their third and final pre-season friendly against Lympsham & Belvedere.Oli Masters bowling for Churchill CC during their third and final pre-season friendly against Lympsham & Belvedere. (Image: Archant)

Corfield has been named as Churchill’s new captain in place of Jack Masters, who led the side between 2018 and 2021.

Corfield has had experience of captaining the club before when he led the under-19s to the Somerset Vitality finals day, before they were eventually defeated by Weston in the quarter-finals.

Weston Mercury: Churchill recorded three wins from their three pre-season friendlies against Mark, Stanton Drew and Lympsham & Belvedere friendly XI.Churchill recorded three wins from their three pre-season friendlies against Mark, Stanton Drew and Lympsham & Belvedere friendly XI. (Image: Archant)

And Corfield exclaimed he is ready to step up to captain the firsts and hopes to lead Churchill to more success.

“It’s a big honour, to be fair,” he added.

“Obviously Jack, who was captain for a few years, is quite a big person to step into his shoes really. But I am proud to, it’s quite good.

“I captained the under-19s last year and really enjoyed it so I’ve made the big step up to become first-team captain and hopefully we can do really well this year.”