HANLEY Castle and Upton Cricket Club are looking for more consistency this season, according to all-rounder Ollie Price.

Price, 20, says the club are keen to build on the positives from 2016 but they need to maintain their form throughout the season to avoid getting drawn into another relegation fight in Worcestershire League Division Four.

He said: ‘It was a tough year at times for us. We were too deep into trouble to fully enjoy the season.

"In the end we got out of it but it wasn’t a nice place to be at the time.

"There were some great performances last year with away wins at Kidderminster and Stourport and some gritty rear-guard backs-to-the-wall stuff as well but it was too inconsistent and we lost and drew games that were there for the taking.

"It’s just about becoming more consistent. If we do that I think we’re in with a chance."

With over 300 runs last term Price understands just how important consistency is.

He continued: "We had some outstanding individual performances.

"Rory Mathews was scoring runs for fun last year and backed up by Harry Tippell taking wickets regularly it shows there’s definitely promise in the side.

"We’ve got arguably the best young wicketkeeper in the league and Todd Mathews took nearly 50 wickets a couple of years ago.

"It’s up to guys like ourselves now to get some more consistency going into the games and if we do that we can go on and hopefully challenge the front-runners."

The young seamer added: "Consistency of selection is massive for us being a small club.

"Guys can’t be there every week which is understandable but that’s why we need new blood coming in.

"We’ve had some new colts through but we want some more senior guys coming in and challenging for a first-team place."

Hanley Castle and Upton kick off their season at Tenbury Wells while the seconds are at home with both games starting at 1pm on Saturday, April 22.

Training is ongoing and anyone interested in joining the club can get in touch on Facebook or Twitter @hanleyuptoncc.