Devon Cricket Board - B Division - Davies back to give Tavvy a lift

B Division - Davies back to give Tavvy a lift

TAVISTOCK, at home to Ivybridge, are boosted by the return of Devon’s rising star Rhys Davies for their top-of-the-table clash with Ivybridge.

Davies is at college in Somerset so his appearances for Tavvy are limited until the end of term.

However, with more than 200 runs in three games for Devon this season, Davies is clearly in form and his presence will give Tavvy a lift

Devon U19 player Jamie Stevens is back, but Tim Pope skipper Shaun Daymond and Lee Baker are all missing.

Ivybridge defeated Tavvy by two wickets first time around in a low-scoring affair played on a damp day.

Skipper Gareth Andrews said that result counts for nothing this time.

“Going to be a very different game to earlier in the season, when we maybe shouldn't have played on a very wet wicket which was a bit of a lottery,” said Andrews.

“I expect away at Tavvy to be one our hardest games of the season.”

Paul Veale comes in for Tim Lancaster in the only change to the side.

Charlie Horwood remains injured and out for two more weeks.

CHUDLEIGH will be without opening bowler Ben Holmes for their Kate Brook meeting with Shobrooke Park.

Holmes is on holiday and will miss the next two games.

Simon Rook comes up from the 2nd XI as an extra batter with Chudleigh captain Jon Martin confident he can get through with the bowling he has.

Shobrooke captain Chris Ford has had a few problems getting his side sorted out as injuries and availabilities are an issue.

Seamer Ben Trenaman is missing, so is overseas all-rounder Chris Simpson, and Phil Anning is on holiday, all of which has left a bit of a hole in the bowling.

Former captain Justin Dollow, who retired two weeks ago, has been lured back on a one-off basis to help out. He has taken19 wickets this season.

Cliff Dare is back after injury – he’ missed the last six weeks – and Andrew Codling returns to add some extra weight to the batting strength, which is a little below par with Mike Searle injure and Mike Dickens unable to play.

SOUTH Devon’s struggle at the wrong end of the table continues with a home game against Barnstaple & Pilton.

Dave Knowles and Dave Amery come back to pep up the bowling, although skipper Jonty Parsons still doesn’t have his strongest side out.

“We just have to keep working hard and I'm sure whatever 11 are put out they will do that,” said Parsons.

Barnstaple – who made their lowly position look faintly absurd by beating Tavistock last time out, bring in youngsters James Russell and Sam Lathwell.

Lathwell was with Braunton last season.

Alphington take on Stoke Gabriel at the Chronicles looking to get back to winning ways after a run of defeats had dropped them into the bottom two with South Devon.

Skipper Stuart Shaw has been in reflective mood in the run up to the game, looking for ways of ending the slide.

Shaw feels there isn’t much wrong other than availability problems, underlining just how fine the gap is between success and failure in what is a tight division.

“We have made some small mistakes which have cost us dearly,” said Shaw.

“If we can cut them out I am sure we will start winning games again.

“I have better availability this week which will help our chances for the test this week-end.

“It’s clearly an important game to both sides but by no means the end of your season if you loose.

We played well against Stoke in our second game and won, but if I was being honest winning the toss helped towards the result and I can only

Judging Stoke on their recent results, which show they are improving week by week apart from their loss last week against Chudleigh, who I feel have best bowling attack in the league, this will be a tough game.

“I am sure my players will be well up for the challenge and I know they will give me 110 per cent.”

LEADERS Lewdown expect to be unchanged for their home game against Thorverton.

However, Thors have players out and are forced to make changes.

Missing are vice-captain Dave Baldock, Gill Crouch and Harry Choules.

Spinner Nick Barton returns after absence, batsman James Maxwell is promoted after good form in the 2nds and there is a 1st XI debut for Devon U15 keeper Ben Phillips.

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