FRESH from helping Southend & EMT win promotion this season, star all rounder Joe Robbins will be bidding for more success playing in New Zealand.

The 21-year-old took 53 wickets and scored more than 700 runs to help Southend work their way in to Division One of the Shepherd Neame Essex League.

And he now also wants to help Kaipara Flats succeed in their season too.

“There are three competitions in the league structure out there and the aim is to win at least two of them,” said Robbins, from Hockley.

“There are the 20/20, 50 over and two day games and I’m looking forward to going back out there again.

“Two years ago I went there after the move came about through a cricket agency who specialise in overseas placements for players wanting to play abroad.

“This year the club approached me to go back over and I didn’t need much persuading.

“My time in New Zealand was fantastic last time and hopefully this time it will be the same.”

Robbins will be making the trip with his girlfriend and will be put up by members of the club he will be lining up for in the next six months. But he is delighted to be making the trip after helping Southend secure promotion during his first season with the club.

“It is very pleasing to be able to go away, knowing we achieved exactly what we set out to do at Southend & EMT,” said Robbins, who joined Southend from Hadleigh & Thundersley.

“Promotion was the aim and we achieved that.

“To be playing division one cricket again is very important for the club. In addition to that the seconds and thirds also won promotion, so it was a great season for the club.

“And hopefully it will be for Kaipara Flats too.”