Devon Cricket Board - A Division - More of the same says Orchard

A Division - More of the same says Orchard

PLYMSTOCK- away to Braunton - took their first faltering steps towards A Division survival last Saturday following their eight-wicket win over Abbotskerswell.

Captain Dave Orchard said Plymstock's convincing victory was down to the team finally playing as he knows they can.

All aspects of the match were solid, with a good fielding performance, some great bowling performances - Orchard himself took 5-27 - George barnicott bowling 10 overs for 14 runs and one wicket, and an excellent 99-run opening partnership on the run chase between Olly mulberry and mark Abbott.

Orchard said: “It was good to see us playing as a team and I think our performance thoroughly deserved the 20 points.

“We have some massive games coming up against the teams at the same end of the table as us, and if we want to stay in this division we need to play like we did last week every game.

“We're in a position now where we can't make any mistakes, and hopefully we're not going to.”

There's a couple of team changes this week as Dan Robotham and old timer Rob Baker are unavailable to travel due to work commitments.

Calum Cload is off on a family holiday.

The replacements are youngster Adam O'Brien, Morgan Parkinson, who has recovered from a bout of summer flu, and Liam Savage.

HATHERLEIGH head for Paignton hoping to pick up points where they can.

Richard Lake’s side are one place and 12 points clear of the drop zone which is some comfort but not much.

After third-placed Paignton it’s Barton (5th) and Sandford (2nd) on the run in, before winding up with Abbotskerswell, Plymstock and Braunton, the other members of the bottom four.

“We will look for as many points and wins as possible over the next ends week ends, “ said injured skipper Lake, who is out for two weeks at least.

“We know the last three games of the season are the big ones for us, but we always go out trying to win every game.”

Gareth Tidball returns after injury to the starting line-up. Charlie Nielson is not available.

BRIXHAM head for leaders Heathcoat minus two of their recent top performers

Joe Hyde and Paul Heath are missing which means call-ups for Adam newman and Tom Hopper.

Skipper Richard Ward is gunning for Heathcoat after losing to them earlier in the season.

“We owe them one for that and I would like to think we can bring them down a peg or two,” said Ward.

ABBOTKSERSWELL captain Richard Acton has made a rallying call to the team going into the final third of the season.

Promotion hopefuls Plympton visit Two Mile Oak fresh from a convincing win over Barton.

Abbots are two places and 10 points off the drop zone. Acton said aspects of the game must improve.

“Results haven't been going our way recently and we need to turn our form around with only six games remaining, to keep us out of the relegation places,” said Acton.

“Our batting has been really poor in the last few games so we will be looking for an improvement in that area mainly.”

Charlie Hill and Marcus Green are back in the side.

Although Plympton captain Jeremy Williams has been looking at the league table – there’s 70 points between the teams – he remembers the last meeting between the teams.

“We were impressed by Abbots last time we played them, especially their young bowling attack, so we won't be taking them lightly,” said Williams.

“Having said that I am looking to build on a convincing result against Barton last week.”

Somerset’s Lewis Gregory – he took a ton off Barton – isn’t available but Josh Mailling is and comes back in.

James Carr replaces Dom Mulberry in the order.

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