RETAINING West of England Premier One status is the first objective of new Corsham skipper Neil Shardlow this season.

Last year Corsham boasted a strong squad and had set their sights on winning the championship title.

But they ended a disappointing campaign in fifth position and Shardlow has re-evaluated the side's aims for the new season.

"When we went into last season we knew we had a very strong side and were disappointed really with how it panned out for us,'' said Shardlow.

"We started off well but lost our way little bit and were disappointed with how it ended up. Craig Gibbens was the captain and we had a good squad of players.

"We had four good seamers including Craig and Paul Marsh but we could have done with a spinner. We lost the balance of the team and towards the end of the seasons batters weren't available and that didn't help either.''

There has been some considerable personnel change in the Corsham ranks during the close season.

Prolific middle-order batsman Mark Coxon has gone back to Warminster and Richard Greatorex has returned to former club Trowbridge. Paul Marsh has opted to take a year out of cricket.

Shardlow added: "I knew Mark was going to leave because he told me but Richard was a bit more unexpected because he had been saying during the winter that he was going to stay.

"Paul Marsh is taking a year out to play golf and that is a massive blow for us. He is a big player and batted in our top three and was the first change in the bowling.''

Coming into the side are Dwain Winter, who scored 800 runs for Corsham three seasons ago and Richard Foley who returns to the club after a stint with Box. Corsham have also signed overseas player Prakash Palande who will arrive in the country at the end of this week.

"Hopefully they will add a lot to the side," said Shardlow. "Dwain has been away playing and training in Australia during the winter and Richard has looked very good in pre-season. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm off-spinner and offers us a bit of variety.

"Prakash was the Mumbai U19s captain and is a left arm spinner. He already has experience of playing in England and has been over here a couple of times before.''

The skipper said his side for prepared for a season of hard work and toil as they look to maintain their place in the Premier One.

"We are expecting a hard season really," he continued. "Four or five years ago Corsham were an Alliance League side and we are a small town with not a lot of players to call upon.

"Our main objective is to stay in the Premier One and play in the highest league we can. We are a small club and we've built up what we've got here. The main thing is to hang onto it.''

Corsham open their season this weekend at home to Optimists and Clifton. Shardlow said: "They are a good side and we know a couple of their players. Kevin Blackburn plays for Wiltshire and Ian Fisher is their contracted player.

"We have not beaten them in three attempts now so it would be good to lay that one to rest.''