NEW boys Shipton-under-Wychwood have made three signings as they prepare for their Home Counties Premier League debut.

Pace bowler Johnny Gurney, wicket-keeper/batsman Chris Oliver and batsman Olly Clayfield have joined the west Oxfordshire club.

Captain Simon Hole said the trio would be key to Shipton’s aims of surviving their first season in Division 2 West, but added he would like at least one more addition.

“We recognise that it is going to be a big step up and we needed more quality to compliment what we have already got,” said Hole.

Gurney is a 6ft 7in opening bowler and the brother of Nottinghamshire’s Harry Gurney.

An Oxford Brookes University student who played for Kegworth Town in the Leicestershire Premier League last season, Gurney also hopes to make the Oxford MCCU side.

Oliver works at RAF Brize Norton and played for Stockton in the North East Premier League.

Clayfield has recently moved to Shipton, having played for Belvoir CC in the Notts Premier League.

Hole said: “Chris and Olly are local and Johnny has played for Leicestershire seconds. He wanted to play at a good standard, so we approached him.”

Shipton decided against signing an overseas player, not least on financial grounds.

“A lot of big sides like Slough and Thame have first-class players coming over, who get 50 wickets or the best part of 1,000 runs,” said Hole.

“We are reasonably well off, but going out to spend £5-10,000 on an overseas player is not really in the interests of the club.

“We feel that we’ve got a good youth set-up and have got a good bowling side, but we are still looking to recruit another batsman.”

As for the season, which starts at home to Dinton on May 12, Hole added: “We are looking to survive in our first year and push on from there.

“A mid-table finish would be great, and we will look for a good run in the Village Cup and the Oxfordshire Twenty20.”