Gary Dowling retained presidency of the Western Counties Cricket Association (WCCA) during the association’s AGM held earlier this week.

Former Willow Cuts cricketer Dowling was unopposed for the association’s top post during the AGM held at Southampton Rangers Sports Club. And he will now serve a third-straight term at the helm.

WCCA vice-president Randy Raynor and secretary Kim Jackson also retained their respective posts on the association’s executive, while PHC stalwart Cal Waldron was elected as new treasure and long-serving Southampton club representative Olin Jones was elevated to the executive level.

Waldron succeeded Vernal Brown who resigned as WCCA treasurer for personal reasons.

“I think we have a good executive team and from an administrative standpoint we are steadily progressing. So we are in good shape moving forward,” Dowling said.

“Cricket has always been good in the West End and from a financial standpoint we have everything in order. And although the weather was a real challenge for us last year, the competition itself continues to grow.”

Among the WCCA’s short-term objectives is the reintroduction of the once thriving Junior Western Counties competition.

“This is where our strength lies and so this will be one of our main goals this year,” Dowling said.

While the dates for this summer’s senior Western Counties competition have already been established, a venue has yet to be determined.

WCCA officials had originally planned to again stage the popular competition at White Hill Field.

But with club facilities at Somerset Bridge Recreation Club set to undergo major renovations, Dowling said this summer’s competition could be switched to Southampton Oval if work had not been completed by the opening round of the competition to be held on Saturday, July 7.

“Right now we are waiting on developments at Somerset Bridge before we make a final decision,” he added.

Cup holders Bridge will face off against Southampton Rangers in the opening round, with the eventual winner meeting Warwick on July 14 in the second round.

PHC await the second round winners on August 11 with Willow Cuts having been drawn in the final to be held on August 25.

The WCCA will officially kick off the season on Saturday, May 5 with the 3rd Annual Kenneth (Mickey) Thompson Memorial Super Sevens Tournament to be played at Southampton Oval.

Devonshire Recreation Club and Leg Trappers are the two new additions to this year’s tournament to be played in memory of the late Somerset Bridge and Somerset Cup Match wicket-keeper.

The competition will now feature eight teams that will compete in a six-overs-per-side format for prize money.

All participants will be placed among two groups of four and will face off in a round robin format with the top two teams at the conclusion of the group stage advancing to the semi-finals.

Again challenging for top honours will be Warwick, PHC, Southampton Rangers, Somerset Bridge and Willow Cuts, along with tournament debutants Devonshire and Leg Trappers.

PHC, with Mark Smith now as their coach on an interim basis, are the tournament’s defending champions.

Smith has taken over the helm of PHC in the absence of coach Andre (Doc) Manders who has opted to devote more of his time to coaching Bermuda’s Under-19s ahead of August’s Americas Championships in Toronto.

Next week’s Super Sevens kick off at 10 a.m. at the Oval with opening ceremonies followed by what organisers are promising will be an entertaining day of cricket.