CRICKET: Mansingh Nigade signs for Templepatrick

Mansingh Nigade in action for Donaghcloney.

The 29-year-old Indian all-rounder, who has had a previous spell in the Northern Cricket Union with Donaghcloney, has been welcomed to the Ballyclare-based outfit by new skipper, Ross Bryans.

“We’ve played against him plenty of times in the past when he was at Donaghcloney,” Bryans said. “I always thought he was a great player and a nice person off the field as well.

“We all are pretty excited for him coming to Templepatrick. He has scored stacks of runs over the past few years - especially when he played in Section 2 for a year. It’ll be good to have another new face around the club. We’ve had southern hemisphere players but now we’ll have a different approach from Mansingh.”

Ross Bryans bowling is Templepatrick Cricket Club's new captain. INNT 27-002-PSB

Bryans is aiming to help fire Templepatrick to a promotion push after last season’s disappointing campaign which culminated in relegation from Section 1 following 12 defeats from 18 outings.

And the 20-year-old is relishing the prospect of captaining the First XI this season. He takes over from Robert Smith who quit the club and agreed to sign for Carrickfergus.

“The captaincy was something I didn’t expect,” admitted the Ulster University Business Studies student. “But I really do see it as an honour because I love playing for the club.

“In terms of the season ahead, it’s really a rebuilding year for us. We’ve got a lot of good young players coming through and it’s definitely a good time to incorporate them into the senior teams - especially the Firsts.

“I think it’s going to be a mix between introducing the young players and making sure that we do get back into Section 1 by using our experience.”

He added: “Promotion is this year’s target but on the side of that we would love to win the Junior Cup as well.”

Commenting on the departure of Smith to neighbours Carrickfergus, Bryans said: “Bobby is a great player and really nice guy as well. We are all very friendly with him and we’re all disappointed he left but we do wish him all the best because he does deserve to play in the Premier League.”