Adrian Noott says Falmouth will aim to build on their achievments last season as they prepare to begin their Vinter Cup defence against Redruth at Trescobeas on Saturday.

But if Noott’s side are to retain the cup and challenge for league honours they’ll have to do it without opener Richard Kellow and all-rounder John Udy after the pair made the move to St Gluvias.

Their departure, coupled with the loss of Justin Stephens to St Just means it will be a new-look Falmouth team that takes to the field on Saturday - but one Noott believes still have the quality to compete with the premier division’s best.

“Losing Justin is a big loss - it would be for anyone - but we don’t want to be a mid-table team.” he said. “We want to be competing at the top because we enjoyed that last season.

“But we’re realistic, we’re not talking about winning the league straight away. We probably over-achieved last year, but we don’t want it to be a one off by any means. We want to prove to people that we deserve to be up there.”

Offsetting the loss of three seniors players is the news that Falmouth have added highly-rated Stithians duo Glyn Furnival and Craig Mouatt to the squad, as well as welcoming their new oversees player Anup Revandkar from Mumbai.

Noott will be hoping the new additions settle in quickly, with both last year’s league champions Werrington, and Truro looking likely title contenders this season.

“On paper I’d say Truro are the best side in the league, but Werrington will be up there,” he said.

“The key for us is focussing on the way we play our cricket. If we can do that then results will take care of themselves. Last year we did enough to win all but two games, so we know what we need to do.”

Falmouth’s Vinter Cup opener against Redruth starts a 1pm this Saturday at Trescobeas.