New boys PHC will open their Open League campaign against defending champions St. David's at Lord's on Sunday with a wealth of experience in their ranks after a busy off-season recruiting.

The men from Warwick have snapped up Somerset Cup Match stars Dean Stephens and Ricardo Brangman Jr., who have both left Devonshire Rec., as well as Dano Outerbridge, who left two-time defending champions Young Men's Social Club.

With a new format to the Open League, featuring groups and a knockout set-up, PHC will have to face the might of St. David's, Southampton Rangers and Somerset if they are to be successful this season.

Through the decades, the two sides have always had a huge gulf between them, with St.David's perennially battling for all trophies available every summer.

But with their key off-season acquisitions primed and ready to go PHC, last year's First Division champions, will undoubtedly be looking to spoil the St.David's party.

None more so than Stephens, who will be desperate to get back in the thick of the action after sitting out last term.

With the pedigree arriving at the club, Stephens is confident that they will be competitive in both the league and county competitions.

"Pre-season has been coming along good," said Stephens. "We have a lot of numbers out, everybody is training hard and are focused so it looks like it will be a good season.

"Everybody is raring to go and I was surprised to see the guys so serious.

"Being out for a season, I'm hungry to get out on the pitch and make an impact for my new team.

"The year off made me fidgety with anticipation for the season so it will be fun."

The side showed their potential in last year's Western Counties second round clash against cup holders Rangers, having the champs in a precarious spot of 144 for five before crucial drop catches and poor fielding helped put paid to their County Cup hopes.

Yet with a new season, comes new belief that it just might be their year this time around, and with a match winner like Stephens in the line-up PHC could be a contender this year.

"We are looking to win this year. Looking to stay up isn't good enough; we are looking to win games.

"When you set your standards high, you get the results you want.

"With the team we have, I don't see any reason why we can't go a long way this year. As long as everyone gives 100 percent we will be all right."