Bailey’s Bay have it all to play for after a disappointing 2013 season, losing their four titles from the previous campaign, including the coveted Eastern Counties.

Bay could only manage a modest sixth-placed finish, which would not have qualified them for the Belco Cup had the competition not been expanded to involve ten teams this season.

Now the challenge is on for Bay to rise to their 2012 standards when the new season begins this weekend with Bay hosting Somerset in one of four Belco Cup matches on Saturday, although captain Stephen Outerbridge says the league and Eastern Counties are their priorities.

“It was all down to complacency, we have spoken a lot about it and we’re over it,” Outerbridge said of last season’s performances. “What I do try to tell the guys is not set the bar too high.

“In sport, it humbles you very quickly and we have taken the humbling and now it is time for us to start winning games.

“It’s only two major trophies that we’re going to look at — and that’s the Eastern Counties and the league. Anything outside of that will be a bonus.”

Bay have picked up bowlers Delray Rawlins, M’Kai Hodsoll and David Lovell who started his development at Sea Breeze Oval.

But Outerbridge points out that the team will not be at their strongest until later in June when overseas-based players such as Rawlins, Terryn Fray and Tre Manders return from England. Wicketkeeper Sinclair Smith has finished school and will start the season.

“David will start the season for us and is an impact player and we’re expecting some good things from him,” Outerbridge said. “He was a good signing; he’s been at Bay from a very young age and knows what’s expected.

“If he starts performing the way he has been training, I’m sure he’ll get some people knocking on his door to either play Cup Match or join the national team once again.

“Sinclair will be a big plus because the last few years, he has come into the season a bit undercooked. I think this is his first pre-season with Bay.”

Bay will host the Eastern Counties this season, playing in the second round as they atttempt to regain the title they lost to St David’s.

“The whole season was a low point, I just can’t pinpoint the Eastern Counties,” Outerbridge said. “Things just didn’t go right. I don’t think the commitment was there from everybody and from the start it went wrong.

“We’ve got a few things right this season and we will be looking to take one game at a time. When Eastern Counties come in August and if we’re in contention for the league, then hopefully we can put both cups away. Sea Breeze Oval always produces a good atmosphere and Saturday’s home match against Somerset should be one of the best Belco ties.

“The last three times we’ve played each other they’ve beaten us, so they are our bogey team,” Outerbridge said. “We’ll see what happens on Saturday. It’s been a long winter and we’re looking forward to getting on the field.

“Irving [Romaine] has definitely brought a sense of structure back to our training. You go there knowing there is no skylarking. I’m enjoying it as captain and I’m quite happy with everybody’s contribution.”

2013 position: Sixth

Captain: Stephen Outerbridge

Transfers in: Delray Rawlins (PHC), M’Kai Hodsoll (St George’s), David Lovell (Warwick).

Transfers out: Zion Tucker-Smith (St George’s).

n The Belco Cup semi-final on Saturday between Devonshire Rec and Cleveland has been switched from Devonshire Rec to Southampton Oval.