GREAT Alne captain Craig Millard is preparing for a trying season after a number of first team changes.

The villagers were one of four sides dropped from the Cotswold Hills League Division One to Division Two as part of a league reshuffle.

And batsman Millard was recruited for the league side from the club's Sunday side after long-serving skipper Dave Rogers jumped ship to Premier League champions Exhall and Wicksford.

Fellow bat Julian Wain left for Premier outfit Bidford but all-rounder Guy Sullivan moved in the opposite direction.

And Millard is hoping the addition of all rounder Matthew Walters and the return of batsman Ken Tyrer after tennis elbow will stabilise his side.

"This year could be difficult because we have merged with the Tapster League and are facing four sides we have never played before," said the skipper.

"We need a stabilising year and would be very happy with a top half finish."