Full league season will "provide motivation and competition" says Weston's Davidson

Despite playing behind closed doors, Davidson has confirmed they are following the latest guidelines set by the England and Wales Cricket Board and once the restrictions ease they will make sure the club will make supporters "feel safe and comfortable in a welcoming environment".

While there will be no access to changing rooms, the teams will be having regular sanitising breaks and each and every player will be made to feel safe.

Action from Weston's friendly with Congresbury at Devonshire Park Ground. (Image: Archant)

"We’re looking forward to getting back on the pitch. It’s been a tough year for everyone and we’re coming straight out of lockdown into some cricket so there will be a lot of excitement and I’m sure nervousness," said Davidson.

"Congresbury are a good all round side, they have a good batting line-up and players who can take the game to you and good variety in their bowlers to support that.

"It’s difficult to approach things as we would in normal circumstances but the main thing is both teams come out of the game with some much needed practice and everyone enjoys being back."

Just like last year, the two sides open their season with home and away friendlies against each other, with Congresbury coming out on top in both matches last summer.

They won by 126 runs at King George V Playing Field, before a three-wicket success a week later at Devonshire Road.

Congresbury celebrate their three wicket victory over Weston at Devonshire Road last July. (Image: Archant)

Davidson added: "Given the amount of players we had unavailable last year, and the circumstances, we won’t be looking at last year's results too much. We used it as an opportunity to give people first-team cricket and opportunities.

"There were a lot of positives last year but you have to look at the results within the context of that strange season and how hard our squad was hit in terms of availability.

"We’ll approach the game carefully. We won’t have trained much, and a lot of players won’t have played for 20 months, so we won’t be too concerned with the result either way.

"It’s about easing people back in gently and building up to May. I’m sure the competitive juices will start flowing once we’re out there, but Sam [Trego] and I will be mindful of the risk of injuries so we’ll be prioritising letting bowlers get some overs in their legs and generally giving guys some practice in the middle. I’m sure that will be the same for most clubs at this stage."

Davidson confirmed Ryan Davies will be "in from the start" and will be "playing a full pre-season and league season alongside helping with youth and senior coaching".

Ryan Davies has returned to Weston for his third stint after first playing during their 2017 promotion-winning campaign before returning to the club last year. (Image: Archant)

He added: "He loves the club, has made his long-term commitment to the club clear, and his enthusiasm is contagious, so having him around will only benefit us on and off the pitch."

Fellow new signing Kasey Aldridge will "hopefully" be available from May, pending his Somerset commitments.

And despite last year's disruption to the season, where the coronavirus pandemic stopped all forms of cricket until July, Davidson believes there is an end in sight and is looking forward to returning to action.

Weston's Matt Kearsley on his way to 69 not out from 62 balls in their match against Congresbury at Devonshire Park Road. (Image: Archant)

"I think we can all see light at the end of the tunnel now," he added.

"All being well, we should be back to normal by mid-season, it's just being able to use the changing rooms, indoor nets and get some of the social atmosphere back, which will be a huge benefit for everyone.

"It’s a full league season too and that will provide motivation and competition.

"In any normal pre-season we’d have trained for three months and be ready to hit the ground running and look at building some momentum through pre-season victories.

"Obviously we’ll be hoping for a win and a good performance, but it’s not top of our priority list for week one.

"We have to be sensible. Cricket is a sport you need to practice and we’d be silly to put unnecessary pressure on players after so long away from it."