DIVISION TWO: New Billericay cricket captain Dave Houghton says this season must end in promotion for it to be deemed a success.

The 26-year-old has taken over from Stewart Rutland as skipper, and he is about to begin his fourth season at the club – having joined as overseas player back in 2012.

And the New Zealander has been quick to bring over a fellow Kiwi to bolster the Division Two team.

Christopher Tait joins from Taita Cricket Club, along with left arm bowler Ross Poulton and top order batsman Lee Knight from fellow Division Two team Stanford le Hope.

And Houghton, a medium pace bowler who will line up towards the top end of the order, says he wants to get over the disappointment of last season’s fifth-placed finish with promotion this time around.

“It was disappointing,” he said. “We were in a good position come the end of the season and couldn’t quite get over the line. But we are more experienced this year and promotion is a must.

“We also have a full-time coach in Ian Letchy so that will help us massively.”

Billericay host Gidea Park & Romford in their season opener tomorrow, in a repeat of the final game of last season which Billericay lost.

But Houghton says things will be different this time around.

“We know a lot about them and are ready to go,” he said. “We have been going really well in pre-season and can’t wait to get going.”

Leigh-on-Sea are another side targeting promotion this year, and they begin at home against Fives & Heronians.

Captain Dean Waller has kept much the same squad as last season as they look to build on last year’s sixth place finish.

“We are ready to go,” he said. “Daniel Cocking is our new overseas player and he is a left-arm bowler that will fit in well. Rob Catchpole has joined Chelmsford and Sean Elliot is out for the season, but we have Alan Van Lint back and his son will also feature this year.

Fourteen-year-old Nick van Lint is expected to make his debut tomorrow.

Wickford were relegated from Division One last year but this year is more about consolidation.

Skipper John Pratt has added Australian opening batsman Jona Summatt to the team but he insists this year is about bringing through talent from their youth team.

They begin at Harlow Town, who won promotion from Division Three last season.

Stanford-le-Hope join the league fresh from a successful season in Division Three which saw them promoted as champions.

And they are looking to consolidate their position this year, starting with a derby visit to Horndon-on-the-Hill who struggled for the majority of last season.

Belhus take on Ardleigh Green in what promises to be a tough season opener.

Ardleigh were relegated last year, although Belhus could have replaced them in Division One after a fine season themselves, which saw them finish fourth, and only 14 points off promotion.