THE 2014/15 KwaZulu-Natal club cricket season is just days away and Castle Lager Premier League returnees, the Pinetown Cricket Club, have welcomed exciting new faces to their ranks.
After a disappointing 2012/13 season which saw the club relegated to the Challenge League, success in the second tier competition last season saw them re-establish themselves in the Premier League ahead of the upcoming season, and the Highway-based outfit are looking forward to competing with the province’s best once more.
Making the step up is one challenge the club has been well aware they will have to make in 2014/15, as well as the signing of coach James Pentz, who takes over from Barry Dyer, currently in the UK. “We are pleased to have secured the services of James Pentz as coach of PCC’s first team squad for the coming season,” said Pinetown Cricket Club chairman, Marco Chixaro. “James brings some much needed structure to our setup and will complement the off-season signings we secured ahead of our exciting return to the Castle Lager Premier League. We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Barry (Dyer) for all his time, effort and hard work in steering Pinetown’s ship through the tricky waters of last season!” he added.
Pentz, a local resident and passionate cricketer, said he was looking forward to the new chapter in his coaching career. “I’ve been itching to get into a team setup, particularly a premier league side, for some time now. For me to join Pinetown, one of the oldest club’s in the country, is just fantastic,” said Pentz. “It’s not only a fresh start for me but the start of a new era at Pinetown as we’re back in the Premier League, things are starting to happen and now it’s about trying to blend the old with the new as best we can. The upcoming season is an exciting one for the club and hopefully with a lot of hard work and dedication, we can play the cricket we know we’re capable of and produce the results we’re looking for,” he added.
Pentz’s arrival isn’t the only exciting new arrival as 22-year-old Greg Ford, son of former Proteas coach Graham Ford, has also joined Pinetown’s ranks. “We are also in the process of finalising a few exciting sponsorship agreements that will be announced in due course and will give the club a much needed financial injection,” confirmed Chixaro. “James’ appointment, coupled with the increase in sponsors, the already impressive growth in our junior section and the launch of our very first Pinetown women’s cricket team are all positive signs as we continue on our mission to become the premier destination for recreational activity within our community.”
The 1st XI’s first league encounter with African Warriors is on Sunday 28 September. Training takes place at Lahee Park from 4.30pm with seniors training on Tuesdays and Thursday while the juniors (U11, U13 and U15 teams) train on Fridays. Visit www.pinetowncc.co.za for more info.
