HIGH Wycombe Cricket Club are confident they can go one better than last season's runners-up spot in the Home Counties Premier League even though they will be missing 673 runs from their team.

Top batsman Paul Atkins has upped stumps and moved to league rivals Tring who offered him the prospect of long-term coaching opportunities.

He was the third highest scorer in the division last season and recorded a top-hit of 127 against Bletchley.

Wycombe chairman Richard Morgan said: "We're going to miss his qualities but we wish him well."

The London Roaders, who begin their campaign away at Luton Town on Saturday, have been boosted in the winter though by young Aussie all-rounder Jarred Varaglia.

He was spotted by skipper Jason Harrison who spent his winter playing down under in Melbourne.

He saw Varaglia in action and immediately set about persuading the starlet to spend his summer in Bucks.

Wycombe have also been boosted by the return to fitness of Adam Cole and the presence of emerging talent Jamie Benning.

Benning's skill has been seized upon by Surrey, who have taken him on their groundstaff, but that shouldn't affect his participation in Wycombe matches too much.

But they are resigned to losing Paul Sawyer and Matt Eyles for half a dozen matches this season. They have been recruited by Middlesex and unfortunately will be on test match groundstaff duties for six matches.

But Morgan remains confident that his young side will be a force to be reckoned with again and is hoping that the work they have put in during the winter will pay dividends when the trophies are handed out on September 8.

He said: "The feeling is as good as it has been for the last couple of years. The players have been working hard and we will be the fittest team around."