Devon Cricket Board - Yau still has targets for title-winning team

Yau still has targets for title-winning team

THE job’s not over yet for Torquay captain Justin Yau – he still has targets even though the Premier title is safely stashed away.
League chairman Stuart Munday will be at the Recreation Ground on Saturday lunchtime to present the champions’ trophy prior to the game against Plympton.
Lifting the trophy isn’t the end of the line for Yau though: he has two more goals in his crosshairs.
“We still have a couple of targets for the last game including finishing with 10 wins in a row and breaking the record points tally in an 18-game season,” said Yau.
“We need 12 points to do that it would be a great achievement.
“There are also some personal targets with Mitch Pugh top of the league run chart and Matt Petherbridge and Max Waller close to 30 wickets.”
Sidmouth’s 310 points in 2010 is the present record.
Torquay hit the front in week 10 after beating Plymouth at the Recreation Ground and by week 12 had opened up a 13-point lead over chasers Sidmouth.
They didn’t lose again all season and with four games to go the chasers were 28 points behind and the title as good as won.
“It's been a fantastic season and one which we will treasure for the rest of our playing days,” said Yau.
“We didn't expect to win the league at the start of the season - we knew we had a good side but we didn't realise how good we were until we started stringing some wins together.
“We have depth in all departments which has helped us along the way, something that teams like Sidmouth and Exmouth have had for years.”
Singling out individuals is always tough, but Yau had a stab at it.
“Mitchell Pugh with 680 runs has been a revelation, and when you have Matt Thompson, Ryan Stevenson, Max Waller, Sach Galhenage and Jack Richardson contributing with as many runs as they have we are always going to post a competitive score,” said Yau.
“We have strength in the lower order as well with players like Joe Thompson, Nick Watkin, Bertus Loots and Kazi Szymanski more than capable of match- winning innings.
“Matt Petherbridge has taken to Prem cricket like a duck to water and his progress this season has been magnificent.
“He has taken 28 big wickets at an average of 13, has played for the full Devon side on merit and been a breath of fresh air.
He has been a brilliant signing and to think he was playing 2nd team cricket this time last year is incredible.
There aren't enough superlatives to describe Ryan Stevenson. He is a magnificent cricketer I am so happy his talent has been spotted by Hampshire.
Max Waller has brought professionalism with every game he plays and to reach 29 wickets in nine games is a great return.”
Torquay waged a long struggle against relegation last season, finally getting clear of Cornwood and Sanford in the last month to stay up.
“Considering where we were last season it's incredible to be crowned champions,” said Yau.
“We will cherish the moment and we will enjoy the next few weeks and will reflect in September on what has been a magnificent season for the club with all three teams winning their respective divisions.
“From a personal perspective; it's been a long ambition of mine to lift the title of my childhood club and it will be one of my greatest moments lifting the trophy with my best mates next week.
“The boys have made me incredibly proud and I couldn't have a better bunch of lads in the dressing room.”

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