BILLERICAY skipper Lee Knight insists his side are excited to be lining up in the Premier Division of the Shepherd Neame Essex League this season.

Billericay were promoted from Division One last term.

And Knight cannot wait for the team to test themselves at the higher level.

“It’s the first time in 20 years the club has been in the Premier Division and we’re all very excited about it,” said Knight.

“We know we will be facing a number of tough teams and some excellent players but you play cricket to test yourself and that’s what will be happening.

“We’ve done well in the past few seasons to move up the leagues and we want to build on that now.”

Billericay host Ilford this weekend.

And Knight is keen to get off to a good start as his side bid to prove their worth in the Premier Division.

“It’s very important we start strongly and it would be great to get a win on the opening day,” said Knight.

“Everyone has worked so hard both on the pitch and off it to get us to this point and now we’re here we want to stay there.

“We don’t just want to be in the Premier Division for one year and then be waiting another 20 to get back in.

“We want be competitive and I’m confident we will be.

“We’ve got the momentum behind us and while the main target will be stay up it would be great to be able to push on and finish in mid-table.”

In a bid to make that happen, Billericay have brought in Darren Ironside from Buckhurst Hill and Saurav Prabhakar from Wanstead.

And Knight has his sights set on another strong season.

“We had a couple of players come over but the attitude of the players’ and the committee has definitely played a big part in what’s been happening here,” said Knight.

“People play cricket for a variety of reasons but we play to enjoy it and I think that’s helped us.

“We’ll be doing that again this season because it’s been a big reason for our success and we want to make this another strong season for the club.”

And Knight hopes being an unknown quantity will also help his team.

“We don’t know too much about the teams we’re facing but they don’t know too much about us either so that might work in our favour,” said Knight.

“But either way it’s an exciting time and we’re looking forward to getting underway at the weekend.”

Billericay warmed up for the clash with a 207 run win against Harold Wood in the League Cup.

The game saw Essex’s Paul Walter in fine form as he scored 61 runs before also taking three wickets for 24 runs to help Billericay triumph.