Devon Cricket Board - Babbacombe strengthen batting for promotion push

Babbacombe strengthen batting for promotion push

BABBACOMBE’S squad building for the 2016 season is gathering pace with a clutch of new additions to the squad.
The Walls Hill outfit has already secured the services of South African bowling all-rounder Dylan Rayner.
Rayner, who is 19, has played for Easterns at under-17 and under-19 level. He plays for United CC in the Easterns Premier League.
He can bat too. In college cricket for Hans Moore High School he made nearly 600 runs at an average of more than 50 during the 2014 season.
A big signing for Babbacombe is front-end batsman Chris Penner, who has switched across town from A Division side Barton.
Penner played youth cricket through the youth age groups for Oxfordshire, graduated to adult cricket in the West of England Premier League with Woodmancote and played Cherwell League cricket for Horspath.
While in the armed forces he represented the Royal Navy and the Combined Services, with whom he toured New Zealand in 2005.
He moved to Torbay in 2013 and joined Barton, but has only appeared from time to time for the Cricketfield Road outfit.
Steve Broad, the Babbacombe captain, has seen Penner in the nets and liked what he saw.
“Chris looks real class and has obvious pedigree,” said Broad (pictured).
“He hasn't played much for a few years due to work and family commitments but is really keen, working hard and seems to have got his love back for the game again.
“We are very hopeful he will be a big player for us this year.”
Another batter in the Walls Hill ranks this season is Tom Wood, who moved into the area ast year from Wales.
Wood previously played for Abergavenny as a top-order batsman but work commitments have meant he hasn't played regularly in recent seasons.
“Tom has looked really good so far at nets - solid and technically very correct,” said Broad.
Jack Brothwell who played at Barton a few years back before working away but is back local again and is keen to get involved again. He bats and bowls off-spin.
Shaun Molyneaux has arrived from Chelston & Kingskerswell, where he was second team skipper in 2009.
“He looks a good reliable, 2nd XI bowler who will add consistency to the current options,” said Broad.

The last new registration is of Ali Powe who hasn't played for a few years since colts cricket with Barton – and a detour into golf - but is keen to get involved again.

Broad feels the squad is stronger than the one that finished third in the C Division West last season, just missing out in the promotion play-offs by four points.
It isn’t just the players who have arrived, but the improving ones from within that encourages Broad for the season ahead.
“Internally I am really hopeful the Passmore twins – Ben and Dom - will continue the huge strides they both made last year.

“They're now 18 and getting bigger and stronger. Ben’s put on a bit of pace this winter with his gym work and Dom’s leg-spin is getting much more consistent and accurate. I am hoping they both look to force their way into 1st XI contention.
“Add this to the number of qualify options we already have, with a good mix of younger players and experienced old heads I think we look ok again.
“Last season’s biggest improver and 1st XI players player or the year, Sam Powell has looked even better at this stage of the year than where he was in 2015.”

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