Devon Cricket Board - A Division - Abbots up for Barton derby

ABBOTSKERSWELL are full of confidence going into the derby date at Barton – and with good reason.

For last time out Abbots overturned leaders Heathcoat, who are no longer the leaders as Plympton went past them despite being rained off against Paignton.

“We are very optimistic for our short trip to Barton,” said skipper Richard Acton.

“Obviously to beat Heathcoat was a fantastic achievement - and one that would have surprised a few people.

“After a couple of loses it was great to bounce back with a win over one of the top sides and remind people that we are a strong side in this division.

As always our team spirit was excellent last week and some of the guys put in some big performances, which we have been missing the last few weeks.

“Paul Acton was brilliant with the ball, going for 27 off his nine overs and one wicket doesn’t do his spell justice.

“Other bowlers chipped in but it was our batting that finally came good in a run chase. The stand out performance was Ryan Williams, who has been promising big runs with plenty of starts, and finally went on to make 99 not out.

“This should give all our batsman confidence by seeing the way Ryan batted, he really put the pressure back on the bowlers when it seemed Heathcoat were on top.”

Acton still wants to see some improvements though and has done one or two in mind.

“Our bowling and fielding wasn’t at the standard we have set so far this season, so will have to improve if we want to beat Barton.

“Barton are fighters and will never give up and have some very good players in their team.

“A win would put us in a great position in the table going into the second half of the season and I am confident we can achieve one.”

Paul Acton is away, so Greg French comes up from the 2nd XI.

Barton could argue they are the team in form right now after winning four of their last five games.

Skipper Adam Parker is always cautious in his comments, but optimistic at the same time.

“It is another big game for us and we will be doing all we can to get as many points as possible,” said Parker./

“We will take confidence from the last two weekends and look to improve further.

“If we do that we can come away with a positive result.”

Elsewhere in the A Division, Hatherleigh entertain Braunton and Paignton have a derby date with Brixham at Queens Park.

Although Brixham defeated Sandford last time out, skipper Richard Ward is taking nothing for granted.

"It is going to be a tough game," said Ward.

PLYMSTOCK travel to Sandford fully aware of the position they are in.

“One off the bottom of the table and 24 points adrift of safey ios not good with the half way stage looming.

“To be blatantly honest we have been very poor for most of the season,” said vice-captain James Nicholls.

“We haven't yet put in a top-quality performance and after eight games that is not acceptable.

“We have a team capable of great things but no one has taken responsibility to get us into winning positions.

“This is something we have looked to address and Seb Jordan (captain) has asked us all for more fight and grit especially when batting.

“We do not have time to gradually get better we have to come out all guns blazing on Saturday and try to take control of the game.

“We know sandford are a good side, but Brixham turned them over on Saturday so we take confidence from that and it shows anyone can beat anyone in this league.”

Jordan is back and ready to go after a solid performance in the 2nd XI.

Plymstock also have Dan Robothan back behind the stumps, Josh Hocken is also back and will bat three after scoring a ton for the 2nds.

“The other inclusion from last Saturday is Teddy Richards, who also has a lot of 2nd XI runs,” said Nicholls.

“This makes our batting line-up extremely strong with Hal possibly batting 10 it also gives our side great depth and batting.”

The three to miss out are Scott Mansfield who cannot travel as his wife is due to give birth anytime now, Josh Sumner who is replaced by Robotham and George Barnicott who is in the 2nds and is unlucky to miss out and only does due to balancing the team.

PLYMPTON’S promotion credentials will be tested when they face Heathcoat in the first against second clash at Knightshayes.

Skipper Jeremy Williams had hoped for a dress-rehearsal against fellow promotion candidates Paignton last Saturday, but that match was rained off.

So it means playing at their highest level for a while and doing it short of match practice.

“We realise we will have to raise our game to the highest standard needed since we played Sandford on the first day of the season,” said Williams.

“It is a shame we were not able to test ourselves against Paignton, who have their own promotion aspirations.”

Williams misses the match as he is on holiday. Also out is soon-to-be-new dad Matt Gregory. The Carrs – Alex and James – come up from the 2nd XI.