WEST of England Premier League double champions Bridgwater are shaping up for an even tougher season than last year as they hope to retain their title.

The club welcome Glastonbury seamer Andy Roberts, who is a morethan-useful lower order batsman and livewire fielder,to complementlast season’s squad.

The only doubtis the availability of former Somerset and Derbyshire professional Steffan Jones due to work commitments.

The club will not be pursuing an overseas option although opening batsman Liam Kitch has just returned from playing a full season for Andy Frick’s club in Port Lincoln about 400 miles north of Adelaide.

Chris Skidmore is one to keep an eye on after flourishing last season and scooping a spotin county side Unicorns.

ECB Level Three coach Chris Gange will again run the academy as well as working on the technical side of their games,they will be looking atthe tactical and psychological approaches to cricket.

In the National T20 Cup, Ashcott and Shapwick and Taunton Saints visit The Parks on Sunday, May 20.

An interesting development at The Parks this season is the amalgamation West Somerset League side Hinkley Pointinto the club to create a fourth team. The team will be called Bridgwater Pointers, led by current HPCC captain Tom Denovan.

Bridgwater are facing the new season with relish as they look to defend their double WEPL Championships in whatis hoped will be better conditions than in 2012 but, whatever happens, a very warm welcome is guaranteed at The Parks for all vice-president members and supporters.

MIKE MORAN, chairman .