PUMPED UP: Bookaar captain Rohan Symes is hoping to lead the Pelicans to finals again this summer. They have finished runners-up the past two seasons.

BOOKAAR captain Rohan Symes says his side must share the load if it is to again challenge for the South West Cricket division one premiership.

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The Pelicans, who have been runners-up the past two summers, have retained the majority of their playing group and are gunning to again grace the finals stage.

“Every year you start fresh and you go back to the drawing board and you try to look at what you can do a bit better,” Symes said.

“We’ll be looking for just a bit more of an even contribution from everyone. We probably relied a bit too much on too few last year.”

The Pelicans have picked up an experienced all-rounder from Bendigo in Michael Winzar.

Symes expects the right-hander to bat in the top six and bowl early, forming a valuable addition to the side.

“He’ll give us a bit of a mature head and bring some experience to us,” Symes said.

Jordan Riches has crossed to nearby rival Pomborneit, while Elliot Pyke’s return date is uncertain as he works his way back from an ankle injury.

Symes is also resigned to a delayed start as he recovers from surgery on a pre-existing back injury.

He said there were also a couple more players who had “decided not to play”, but was hopeful of luring them back during the season.

The Pelicans are set to launch their 2016-17 campaign when they host Pomborneit at the Camperdown Showgrounds on Saturday.

It is a later-than-expected start to season for Bookaar which, along with Terang and Cobden, was set to start last weekend after a bye in the opening round, only for the matches to be abandoned due to the weather.

“There’s always frustration … because the boys are keen to get out there ... but you can’t do much about it,” Symes said of having to wait an extra week to start the season.

“You look at last year and we didn’t have one washout, I don’t think. But it’s the area we live in.

“All we need to focus on is controlling the controllables.”

Pomborneit's Matt Bignell

Bulls captain Matt Bignell said his team was looking forward to taking on the formidable Pelicans’ outfit and backed their chances after an impressive round-one win over Noorat.

Bignell himself made 80, while the returning Craig Sargeant hit an unbeaten 52, heading back to the club alongside another talented returnee in Steven Castle.

“We’re feeling pretty good – we started off well and strong,” Bignell said.

“I think we’re a pretty good all-round team. We are a pretty good bowling team and we can bat all the way through.”