IN CRICKET league freefall after the defection of a number of leading players, Huntley, who play on one of the prettiest grounds for miles around, are climbing back again.
"It's going to be tight but at full strength I believe we have the strongest team in our league this season. Promotion is very much a possibility," says the club's Matt Abbott.
After plunging from division one to division five in six seasons, the comeback is a welcome relief.
"We thought we had avoided the drop last season – until the new fixtures were printed and we found we had dropped a league," said Matt.
But playing with renewed enthusiasm and with a number of promising youngsters now in the side among them Dan and Oliver Perry and Kristian Abbott, the new look Huntley team has won two out of five league games.
The club fields two Saturday teams, a Sunday X1 and a mid-week league team.
"They are all doing well but it boils down to being able to field the strongest line-up every week. At full strength we are a very good side but obviously it is not always possible," said Matt.
Saturday's result against Old Patesians was a disappointment but not a serious setback.
Batting first, Huntley's Grahame Balmer and Matt Abbott were in commanding form. Balmer stroked his way to 67 and Abbott smashed an attractive half century before the inevitable batting collapse – the end result a disappointing 186 all out.
In reply, the Cheltenham team scored steadily but also lost wickets regularly. They were seven down when they cruised past Huntley's total.
"It was disappointing but we are optimistic for the remainder of the season," said Matt.