CRICKET: Lechlade CC snap up Wiltshire captain Breet (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wiltshire's Player of the Year buys into Rowley's Lechlade vision

4:25pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Sport By Danny Hall, Sports Editor

WILTSHIRE cricket captain Joe Breet has this week signed for go-ahead Lechlade CC.

Lechlade chairman Paul Rowley managed to see off a number of much bigger clubs in capturing the 32-year-old Breet.

It is another indication of how seriously Lechlade are taking their new challenge in the West of England Premier League Glos/Wilts Division this season after winning promotion in a weather-blighted 2012.

In January, Lechlade announced the signing of New Zealand U19 star Arnie Yugaraja.

Both Breet and Yugaraja, who arrives in mid-April, are expected to help with the coaching of junior players at the Thames-side club.

“It’s a real coup for the club to sign someone like Joe,” said Rowley.

“He is a high quality batsman and a useful bowler, too. What’s more, he brings maturity and real cricketing nous.

“We heard he was available having left Westbury, where I believe he played for nine years, and our own Arran Dickinson knew him through his Wiltshire connections.

“There were Premier One clubs chasing Joe but over a couple of beers I was able to convince him about our ambition and how Lechlade CC are on an exciting journey. Fortunately, he bought into our vision.”

Under Breet’s stewardship, Wiltshire finished third in the Minor Counties Championship in 2012 and got to the final of the MCCA Knockout Cup, losing to Cumberland.

After the final, South African-born Breet received the Wiltshire Player of the Year award.

Rowley also has first hand experience of his new signing’s capabilities.

“When Lechlade were last in the Glos/West Division in 2009, I remember playing Westbury and Joe batted us all round the ground,” recalled Rowley.

“Joe has already come along to two of our winter training sessions and he can’t wait to help out with our junior coaching programme.”