Devon Cricket Board - Top four clash in B Division super Saturday

Top four clash in B Division super Saturday

IT’S super Saturday in the B Division with the top four fighting it out among themselves as the promotion race hots up.
Leaders Chudleigh are aiming to make it four on the row against fourth-placed Shobrooke Park.
Second-placed Plymstock are at home to Ipplepen, who are just two points behind them
Chudleigh’s wins over Braunton, Ipplepen then Axminster have opened up an 18-point lead.
With only 26 points between the top five, it is still wide open.
Chudleigh’s last four games include Shobrooke Park (4th), Thorverton (5th) and Plymstock (2nd) on the final day.
“We have won our last three games now and will be looking to continue our form,” said Foreman who returns to the side after a week off.
“Shobrooke are packed with a combination of quality and experienced cricketers and can comfortably embarrass any team in this division.
“We will need to play well from start to finish to get a positive result.”
Mark Solway returns to keep and bat, which means super-veteran Mike Trout drops back to the 2nd XI.
Shobrooke welcome back Pete Turner, who was missed bowling in the middle overs in the last few weeks.
“We need to put in a solid performance this week,” said skipper Chris Simpson.
“Any points are handy this stage in the season, if everyone plays to their potential we'll do well.”
After two disappointing batting performances against Chudleigh and Thorverton, Ipplepen skipper Keith Wakeham knows what is required against Plymstock in the second-against-third clash.
“We must win to stay in the chase, but the top order needs to bat tighter and set a platform,” said Wakeham.
Jonny Norman comes in for holidaying all-rounder Joe Abbott.
Plymstock are in a similar position after two defeats, although they actually went up a place last Saturday as they didn’t lose as badly as Ipplepen.
This week sees Dom Wood taking over the captaincy from Scott Mansfield, who is now unavailable for the remainder of the season due to work commitments.
Opening bowler Billy Gibson and Matt Mackey will both be dropping down to the seconds to assist in the relegation scrap they've found themselves in.
Coming in are Dave Orchard, Ian Whalley and wicket keeper Teddy Richards.
“We've had two bad weeks but everyone's training hard and working to put things right,” said Mansfield.
“We've been fortunate to find ourselves still second with Chudleigh pulling away from the chasing pack.
“We still have Ipplepen and Chudleigh to play, along with South Devon and Axminster, so it's all down to us as to how the promotion chance will go.”
Pens do have the drop on Plymstock having beaten them in the league and the Corinthian Cup.
“We know what they have in their ranks,” said Mansfield.
“I believe if we stick to what we did when we had five wins in five, we won't be too far away come results time Saturday afternoon.
At the other end of the table the bottom two meet at Kelsey were Braunton entertain Abbotskerswell.
Axminster, who lost to Chudleigh last Saturday, currently occupy the third drop spot after falling behind South Devon.
Paul Miller’s men are away to Ivybride, where they need the batting to fire.
“It's that's stage of the season for us we need to start winning games or else will find ourselves playing in the C Division next year,” said Miller.
“The last two games have been winnable but after good starts we've collapsed in the middle order. We need to bat better and value our wickets more.”
The Fuzzard brothers are out as they have to work, in come Max Felgate and Alan Ostler from the 2nd XI.
South Devon visit form side Thoverton, who have clambered up the table on the back of three wins.
Beating Abbots last Saturday nudged South Devon out of the bottom three, but they only have a four-point cushion.
Skipper Jon Martin has set a survival target and is confident of reaching it.
“I think we need two wins out of the last four games - and the sooner we can do that the better for us,” said Martin.
“Thorverton are on a bit of a roll, so we will have to play well to get what we want out of the game.”
Spin-bowling all-rounders Jim Allen and Jimmy Hart come back in, as does batter Paul Hooper.

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