MICHAEL Papps’ parting gift to Burbage & Easton Royal was to ensure that the east Wiltshire outfit wouldn’t go into their first-ever campaign in the third tier of the West of England Premier League (WEPL) without a former New Zealand international in their ranks.

Former Kiwi Test ace Papps had spent the last two seasons as Burbage’s overseas player, helping the villagers earn promotion to the Glos/Wilts Division as Wiltshire Division champions last year, but opted not to return to Royal this summer.

But before he’d even informed the club that he would be leaving, Papps had enlisted his Wellington Firebirds teammate Luke Woodcock – a 32-year-old all-rounder who played for New Zealand at the 2011 World Cup – as his overseas replacement.

“Michael was fantastic for us and everyone at the club couldn’t speak highly enough of him,” said Burbage captain Tom Wallbridge.

“He decided to leave because he felt that he needed a bit of a rest this summer but he’d already sorted his replacement before he’d left.

“He was great with coaching the kids and things like that and I’m sure his team-mate and friend will be just as good for us.

“Luke will bat near the top of our order but he’s also a genuine all-rounder with left-arm spin, which is something that we didn’t have with Michael.

“It’s going to be a real bonus to have him.”

Burbage have also boosted their ranks for the forthcoming season by securing the services of former Wiltshire batsman Jon Chandler and ex-Great Bedwyn captain Dan Swatton.

Wallbridge added: “Jon started off at Burbage before going on to clubs like South Wilts and Falkland – I was a bit young to remember him playing here.

“But we’ve been trying to convince him to come back and now that we’re at a higher level, we’ve finally managed to get him in.

“Dan also started at Burbage and he’ll be another good addition. 2015 is an exciting year for us.”

Meanwhile, former Hampshire Academy man Owen Alsop feels ready to fall back in love with ‘competitive’ cricket after agreeing to join ambitious Chippenham for next season.

The 22-year-old, whose younger brother Tom made his first-class debut for Hampshire last September, hasn’t had an extended spell playing in the WEPL since contracting type one diabetes in 2013.

But Alsop, who made three cameo appearances for Goatacre last term, is looking forward to making his comeback alongside friend and fellow Chippenham new-boy Brad Dawson in the summer.

“After leaving Hampshire, I played a bit of second team cricket and went off to Australia, and when I came back in 2013, I was raring to go,” said Alsop.

“But pretty soon after I came back, I got ill. I haven’t played what I’d call competitive cricket for three years.

“I took some time away from it and I have played for my local club, Bishops Cannings, but that was more for a bit of fun with my mates – they’d say I probably took it seriously though.

“Steve Silk (former Chippenham captain and current Gloucestershire Cricket Board chief executive) was a big part of getting me to Chippenham. I sat down with him, the captain Lee Ward and Brad to talk about it.

“I feel the time is right. Watching how well Tom has done helped give me that fire in my belly and I’m really excited now – maybe even too excited.

“The club have signalled their intentions to the rest of the league by signing people like their overseas (Darryl Losper) and Brad. I wanted to be part of it.”

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