Explosive Shropshire batsman Martyn Davies admits he’s “buzzing” about his new challenge as Wem skipper after returning to the Marston’s Shropshire Premier Cricket League club for a third stint.
The big-hitting Davies is delighted to be back at his home town club and is relishing the added responsibility of captaincy after making the switch from Birmingham League Shifnal.
Davies, 27, is looking forward to leading the side – both Martin Gaunt and Will Savage had spells as captain last season – and admits he would love to play a part in steering Wem back up to the Birmingham League.
It’s already shaping up to be a memorable sporting season for Davies who, as a hard working striker, has also helped Market Drayton Town reach the last 16 of the FA Vase as the possibility of a dream Wembley final begins to come into view.
“I’m buzzing about being back at Wem,” said Davies. “With the football going so well, I made the decision to play a shorter cricket season this time. I’ve told the lads at Wem I’ll be able to play between 12 and 15 games and also help to coach the juniors.
“I said I would love to captain the side and there are some really good young lads at the club that I know I can get the best out of.
“I know I’m coming down a few divisions from last season when I played in the premier division of the Birmingham League with Shifnal.”
Davies began his cricketing career at Wem and, although he’s had spells playing at a higher level with both Wroxeter and Shifnal, he admits the Soulton Road club have always remained closest to his heart.
“It was good at Shifnal but it wasn’t the same as being at Wem,” he said. “I love having a laugh and a joke when the time’s right and I can really do that at Wem as it’s my club. It’s a fantastic club to play for, two of my brothers also play at the club, and there’s a really good social side to it as well.”
Davies expects to have virtually the same squad of players who were at Wem’s disposal last season with the notable exception of Kiwi Cameron Rope who proved a disappointment as the club’s overseas professional.
Davies also has plenty to look forward to on the football field in the next few months given Drayton’s Midland Alliance title push and epic Vase run.