Devon Cricket Board - Chudleigh skipper Foreman still coy on title talk

Chudleigh skipper Foreman still coy on title talk

CHUDLEIGH captain Ed Foreman continues to play down promotion talk at Kate Brook, even though his side now has a 18-point lead over Plymstock at the top of the table.
Third placed Thorverton are 27 points behind in a division where two teams go up.
Chudleigh’s win over Shobrooke last time out installed them as favourites to go up, but Foreman is sticking to the line used all season that promotion was never a target.
“We are in a very good position but face a tough run of games starting with a derby in which Abbotskerswell will be fighting hard to remain in the division,” said Foreman
“Promotion hasn't really been on our agenda, but if it happens we won't shy away from it and will look forward to the challenge.
“There is a long way to go yet though.”
Chudleigh were all out for 236 with 10 balls of their 45 overs to come – Ed Foreman (50) and Matt Heather (45) the main run getters in a solid effort by the top six.
After Dan le Marquand (20) and Mark Solway (30) for Chudleigh off to a 40 run start, Heather and Foreman added 68 for the third wicket.
Foreman was involved in stands of 25 with Sean Newland and 37 with Will Heather as Chudleigh got to the last 10 overs with five wickets in hand and 199 on the board.
Chris Simpson (4-20) and Dylan Blignaut (2-42) cashed in as Chudleigh swung the bat.
James Bevan (8-3-21-1) was the tidiest of the Shobrooke bowlers.
Shobrooke were dismissed for 149 in reply, shot out by Mark Heather (4-33) and Rob Clarke (4-15).
A second-wicket stand of 66 between Simpson (34) and Chris Ford (30) appeared to lay the foundations for a chase.
Once the stand was broken – Heather got the pair of them in the space of four balls - Shobrooke went into decline.
Only Blignuat (18) and Andrew Codling (10) reached double figures as Shobrooke’s last six wickets fell for 35 runs.
Foreman said it was a workmanlike win, but not out of the very top draw.
“Our innings tailed off and we probably left 30-40 runs out there,” said Foreman.
“We started slightly slow with the ball but had more than enough quality to drag it back and win comfortably in the end.”
Shobrooke have plunged down the table from top to sixth after losing four times in the last five starts.
They are 27 points adrift of second-placed Plymstock with three games left to close the gap.
The third relegation slot is only 30 points below them, which is as slight worry with struggling Axminster this Saturday to play, then lowly South Devon before the derby date with Thorverton on the final day of the season.
Skipper Chris Simpson has written the side off as promotion material and feels some of the players have to ask themselves what they want next year.
“We are just after one more win to be safe now,” said Simpson.
“The second half of the season hasn't been the best, and has shown we are definitely a B Division team.
“We need the whole team to have a input on games.
“When we had that run that took us to the top, everyone performed. Only half the team shows up of late.”

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