FURNESS skipper Scott Pearcey believes his side can give Workington a real run for their money this year.

The West Cumbrians dominated the North Lancs and Cumbria League scene in 2016, storming to a Premier Division and Higson Cup double.

Having won six titles in the previous seven years, Furness had to settle for the runners-up spot last summer, and Pearcey is optimistic they will be there or thereabouts again come September.

“Workington were a tough team and went unbeaten all season, which is a great achievement,” he said.

“We will be looking to make it a lot harder for them this time around and we are confident of pushing them all the way.”

Furness have been bolstered by the return of Kiwi professional Seth Rance, who claimed 68 victims at just eight runs apiece last season.

Rance will miss some early-season games after being picked by New Zealand for the ODI tri-series against Ireland and Bangladesh.

His absence will be a big loss, but Pearcey can at least take comfort from the fact he has a strong squad to choose from, including returning all-rounder Mark Daly, and former Barrow and Cumberland batsman Sam Dutton.

Pearcey’s men started their season in winning style by beating Lancaster in the ECB National Cup last week, and they look in good shape for tomorrow’s league opener at home to Cockermouth.

“We had some great performances in the Lancaster game, including a quality first hundred from Nathan Waterston,” said Pearcey.

“Two of our winter recruits have impressed in pre-season too with Dutts (Dutton) and Dales (Daly) both getting 70s.

“We are happy to welcome back Seth. We will miss him for a couple of weeks but it couldn’t be for a better reason, and we are delighted he has been called up for New Zealand.

“And with the young lads all being a year more experienced, and the signing of Harris Woods (who has joined along with Daly from Lindal Moor), we have a lot of potential in the side and strong competition for places.”

The other local team in the Premier Division, Dalton, achieved their aim of survival last year, and will be all the stronger for it as they prepare for another year in the top-flight under the captaincy of Liam Curwen.

The Ulverston Road side – who have Sri Lankan batsman Madawa Warnapura as their new professional – face a tough opener as they head north to Cleator.

Haverigg will have high hopes of getting back in the Premier Division having re-signed record-breaking batsman Dalton Polius. The 26-year-old St Lucian enjoyed a fantastic first summer at Poolside, smashing 1,203 league runs as they finished third in the first division.

Polius will lead the charge as Drew Postlethwaite’s men look to pose a serious title charge, starting at Ulverston tomorrow.

“Our aim for this season is promotion and we know we have the ideal professional to help us achieve this, he’s a class act,” Postlethwaite said of Polius.

Another team hoping a West Indian ace can help them get back in the top-flight are Lindal Moor, who have signed former Vickerstown pro Kenroy Peters.

He will no doubt play a starring role at Pennington Lane, where Ed Waind replaces new dad Paul Wilcock as first-team skipper.

Wilcock will still be turning out, although a broken finger means he is a doubt for their opening match – a toughie away at Millom.

While missing departed duo Daly and Woods, new faces at Lindal include opening bat and wicket-keeper Alastair Grunshaw and promising Lancashire Thunder development centre bowler Megan Smith.

That pair have arrived from Division One rivals Ulverston, who are also facing up to the prospect of being without star all-rounder Gareth Yates for about half their matches this season due to family commitments.

Good news for Ulverston, though, sees the arrival of former Barrow CC man Chris D’Leny, who will add some quality to the batting line-up.

Left-arm seamer Jack Dryden is also available again and their South African overseas amateur Shane Lewis will continue to do an excellent job with Priory Road’s burgeoning junior set-up.

Newly-promoted Vickerstown begin their Division One season at home to Workington seconds and will aim to make Rainey Park a place teams don’t like to visit in their bid to remain in the second tier.