Devon Cricket Board - B Division - Pressure on at bottom

B Division - Pressure on at bottom

IT’S make or break for Alphington in the basement clash with Barnstaple & Pilton at the Chronicles.

An Alphington win will give them a fighting chance of finishing outside the bottom two.

A Barnstaple win will leave Alphington with a massive amount to do in their final match of the season against Thoverton.

While Alphington are capable of beating Thorverton, if they lose to B&P beating Thors won’t be enough.

Alphington will almost certainly need Stoke Gabriel to lose to South Devon – and as the Newton Abbot side haven’t won a game for two full seasons that’s unlikely.

Just to rub it in, Alphington were due to play South Devon last Saturday, only to be denied the chance of 22 points by the weather.

“Not being disrespectful to South Devon, but it was a disappointment not to play them,” said Alphington captain Stuart Shaw.

“We would have fancied our chances of gaining some big points, which could of made things a little easier.

We still have it all to play for this week as both sides know it’s a game that could take them close to being safe.

“The table does not lie, but we have had so many close games that could have gone our way this season that I am sure we are due a little luck in the next two weeks.

“We certainly have the players to pull us out of the bottom two and I am hoping we all turn up to this week’s game and prove we are better than the table shows.”

LEWDOWN can’t afford any slip-ups against visiting Stoke Gabriel as the three-way scrap in the B Division for two promotion places comes to the boil.

Lewdown (247pts) to the table from Chudleigh (246) and Ivybridge (243) in a race guaranteed a thrilling finish.

Chudleigh entertain Ivybridge tomorrow while Lewdown visit Ivybridge next Saturady,. It couldn’t have been scripted better.

“It is going to be a massive two weeks,” said Lewdown captain Harry Geering. “There could be so many different endings.

“Ivybridge might be playing us and Chudliegh, but at least they know if they win both they win the league,

“We know they will be tough opponents last game.

“We are just hoping our form continues this week.

“We don't know much about the Stoke side as our game was called off after an innings at their place, but we won't be approaching it any differently to any other games.”

Stoke need points in their continuing fight against relegation.

Stoke are two points clear of the drop zone with two games to go and have not been much higher all season.

It has been a challenge for the divisional newboys, whose skipper Josh Dowling knows what one of the issues is.

“When we can get our best side out we can compete with anyone, but away from home it has been a struggle as players can’t always travel,” said Dowling.

“If we do stay up the availability issue will need addressing next season as we are likely to have trips to Braunton, Bideford and Axminster on top of what he have now, while losing closer games such as South Devon, Chudleigh or Ivybridge.”

CHUDLEIGH skipper Jon Martin insists the pressure on his side isn’t overwhelming going into the game against Ivybridge.

“Obviously it's a big game for both teams in the promotion race - and with a full-strength squad to pick from and home advantage, hopefully we will have enough to come through,” said Martin.

“Ivybridge are a unknown entity for us as we were rained off at theirs earlier in the season.

“They are third for a reason and will be a good side and I'm sure we will have to be on top form as t

“As Ivybridge have to play Lewdown in the last round, it's not all on this game.”

Ivybridge hope to have skipper Gareth Andrews back at the helm following a holiday break in Rhodes.

TAVISTOCK skipper Shaun Daymond accepts there is little his side can do to push for promotion as they have too much to do.

The Moorlanders are the only side to defeat Lewdown this season – and proved their first win was no fluke by doing it twice.

Consistency of selection has coast Tavvy dearly and they lag behind second-placed Chudleigh by 23 points with 44 to play for.

“It's a little bit out of our hands now,” said Daymond, whose team hosts Thorverton tomorrow.

“If we win our last couple we will put some pressure on if anyone above us slips up.”

SHOBROOKE Park will be looking for a minimum of 10 points away to South Devon to be sure of finishing outside the bottom two.

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