Devon Cricket Board - Budleigh still in A Division promotion frame says skipper Murphy

Budleigh still in A Division promotion frame says skipper Murphy

BUDLEIGH Salterton skipper Joel Murphy has insisted his side can still claim a promotion place out of the A Division despite lagging 28 points behind second-placed Cornwood.
The Otters go to Tavistock tomorrow looking for a third straight win after victories over Barton and Hatherleigh.
With four games and 80 points to play for, making up 28 is a stiff ask if not an impossible one.
Where Budleigh have a hidden advantage is that leaders Brixham and second-placed Cornwood meet at Oak Park on the last day of the season.
“One of them is going to lose,” said Murphy (pictured).
“Our aim over the next three games is to keep winning and get as close as possible to the top two.
“If we lose one we are probably out of it – and we have some tough games of our own.
“Tavistock this Saturday and Lewdown on the last day are fighting to stay up. And we all know strange results can and do happen at this end of the season.”
Tavistock are almost safe after their win over Bideford last Saturday which moved them 31 points clear of Lewdown.
Tavvy’s Achilles heel is having Cornwood and Lewdown to play on the run in – two teams with plenty of motivation to win.
“With back to back wins we are feeling confident,” said skipper Shaun Daymond.
“I think one more win will keep us up, let's hope it's this week.”
Batter Ian Gray is back in this week for seamer Chris Hutchins.
BRIXHAM make three changes to their side for the Boundary Park meeting with Sandford.
Batter Will Lewin and keeper Joel Ashworth can't play plus Rhys Dallow is out for rest of the season with an injured knee, which is being investigated this week.
“He will be a big loss because he has just found his feet and was bowling well,” said skipper Andy Pugh.
Mike Meech, Matt Parsons and Tom Hopper, who will keep wicket after some brilliant performances in the 2nd XI, all come in.
Brixham are six points clear of Cornwood and 34 ahead of Budleigh in third so the Premier Division is getting closer all the time.
“We just need to keep playing well enjoying it and see where we are after the next two games,” said Pugh.
Sandford can’t go up and would be unlucky to get sucked into a relegation scrap now with a 38-point safety net.
“Fourth place is still very gettable and that's our goal,” said skipper Jamie Palmer.
“We know Brixham are a very strong side - they're not top of the table for no reason.
“I'm looking for a good performance, there's no reason why we can't pull off a shock result, but we'll have to play very well to do so.”
HATHERLEIGH have already beaten Cornwood once this season and a repeat dose tomorrow would do them a favour.
Lewdown in the second drop spot are 29 points behind and could make inroads into the gap if they win at bottom side Bideford and Cornwood slip up.
“Another tough game expected as Cornwood are on a roll pushing for promotion, so they want a win as do we to secure safety,” said Hatherleigh skipper Mark Lake.
“We beat them away so hopefully we can do the double over them. But no game of cricket is the same. We need to play our own game and see where it takes us.”
Charlie Nielsen is in for jack Cherrington.
TOM Brend, Mat Shepard and Mike Lemmings all come back in for Bideford against Lewdown.
“We are pretty much full strength,” said Bideford captain James Ford.
“Obviously a big game for Lewdown and we're looking to finish the season strongly.”
BRADNINCH need a win at Barton this Saturday, otherwise they can forget about promotion for another season.
The Kensham Parkers lost by 129 runs to leaders Brixham last Saturday, which left them 47 points behind second-placed Cornwood.
Bradninch still have Cornwood to play on the run in, but need to win all their last four and hope the Corns lose to them and Brixham on the last day to have any sort of chance.

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