Lancaster Park-Woolston's first grade team is largely unchanged this year, but the playing management is a different matter.

The club welcomes back long-serving club member Garry MacDonald as club coach, returning after a successful four-year stint coaching the Canterbury team.

Captain this season is opening batsman Neville Perkins who played age group representative cricket for Canterbury.

Opening the batting will be Kelvin Scott and Perkins. While joining top order batsman of recent seasons Robert Tibbetts is Mark Stewart, the well-performed second grade Dragons No 3 batsman for the past three years.

Another batsman back for this season is John Woodham. After spending the off-season in Cornwall, Cleighten Cornelius will fulfil the all-rounder role.

Former Christ's College 1st XI player Bernard Ballin will fill an all-rounder spot.

Garry Hooper, a 20-year veteran of local club cricket, comes in to carry out the spin bowler duties replacing John Stuart, who is unavailable due to work commitments.

After waiting in the wings for the past three years, during which time he was the top wicket taker for the second grade Dragons, is Peter Robinson. Robinson is likely to open the bowling with Wade Cornelius, who will not be available for club cricket until released by New Zealand Cricket Academy early next month.

Mark Lane returns as wicket-keeper and will boost the batting. He started the season with 70 last Saturday.

Club captain this season is Bruce Cameron who has lead the second grade Dragons for three successive one-day titles. Cameron is once again captain of the Dragons, a team with few changes. The biggest difference this season is the loss of both opening bowlers - Robinson to first grade, Mark Silcock unavailable due to injury.

Opening the bowling will be the promising Josh Maloney who bagged four for 16 off 14.5 overs last Saturday.

Sharing the new ball will be Scott Garven with all rounder Shane McConnell the most likely first change bowler. The spin attack will be spearheaded by Cameron.

The first grade women's team, led this year by Jo Strachan, started the season with a decisive win, led by 102 not out from international Paula Flannery. Also back in team ranks is Haidee Tiffen after spending the off season with Surrey.

This season's women's club captain is Kate Rathbun.

The club has an overseas player, 17-year-old Sam Tucker, a wicket-keeper from the Church Cricket Club in Lancashire. Tucker, a first team player since 14 has played Under-14s, Under-15s and Under-16s for Lancashire and Under-15s for North of England.

Peter Crowhen was re-elected president at the August annual meeting with David Sparks and David Wilson as vice presidents.

© CricInfo