WHEN Great Alne Cricket Club took the drastic step of dropping three divisions down the Cotswold Hills League villagers would have been forgiven for thinking the team was living on borrowed time.

Craig Millard's side took the radical decision after another season of struggle last year and the Henley Road side are now reaping the dividends.

The turnaround is dramatic for a side who were on the verge of folding two seasons ago.

The Division Two stragglers lost a trio of experienced players after the 2000 season and looked to be heading the same way as Alveston, who withdrew halfway through the current season.

But three of the first teamers qualified as coaches and a link with Alcester Grammar School and Alcester High School saw 15 youngsters attending Monday night sessions last year.

But faced with the prospect of another senior player leaving it was a time for tough choices.

"We knew we couldn't bring younger players on in Division Two because it would be too demoralising to be losing heavily every week," said captain Craig Millard.

"We decided to drop to Division Five so we could have a relatively strong team for that division and bring players on."

The explanation could have been dismissed as an excuse but the villagers put their money where their mouth was and recruited their first ever overseas player.

Aussie Daniel Craig has undoubtedly strengthened a first team vying for the title and promotion but he was recruited with the fledgling youth section in mind.

Great Alne are looking at starting another junior side after seeing several 14-16 year olds attend regular sessions on Thursday nights this season and already players are coming through the ranks.

All rounder James Armstrong (16), bowler Pete Walford (19) and bat Sam Hale (17) have all done their bit this season and Millard has his eye on two or three others for next season.

And with the villagers starting a Sunday side there is a feelgood factor about the place.