Bay derby is A Division highlight
A DIVISION 

EXETER captain Jon Tipper has warned his side not to get carried away by their opening day win at Plymstock.

The city side won a low-scoring affair by five wickets to set out their credentials as promotion contenders.

Abbotskerswell visit the County Ground tomorrow and Tipper will remind the players not to underestimate them.

“Abbots represent a tougher challenge than Plymstock so we need to maintain standards set while bowling and fielding – and our batting will need to improve,” said Tipper.

“Probably the toughest challenge is the weather and actually getting the game on!”

Batter Cam Grainger is not home from university this weekend so Richard Croney comes in. Andy Mead replaces left-armer Jack Richardson in the attack.

 

SOUTH Devon skipper Adrian Hewings can see some warning signals ahead of the game against Plymstock at Marsh Road.

Although Exeter bowled Plymstock out cheaply last Saturday, the Dean Cross side took five wickets defending a modest total of 93 all out.

Added Hewings: “It is usually a hard-fought contest with Plymstock and I am looking forward to another.”

Former skipper Henry Burningham remains unavailable due to injury so the side is the same one that didn’t play at Paignton last Saturday.

Following a disappointing start to their new campaign in the A Division, Plymstock are looking to bounce straight back at South Devon.

A bad toss to loose meant Plymstock were asked to bat on a wet soggy one and were under the cosh from the start.

Exeter chased 94 to win under pressure from Seb Jordan (4-32) and got home with five wickets to spare.

Skipper Dave Orchard said: “It was a disappointing start to the season but we're not going to worry too much about it.

“Hopefully it was just a blip.

“This week we welcome Olly Mulberry into the side now he has returned from Devon rugby duty and keep the rest of the side the same.”

 

PLYMPTON captain Andy Walter is under no illusions ahead of the tricky trip to Braunton.

Walter’s promotion hopefuls started brightly with a 211-run win over Shobrooke Park.

Braunton, said Walter, will be a different proposition.

“Braunton are a good side and we will need to take our a game to them,” said Walter.

“I felt we batted well last week, but still had a collapse halfway through which we can’t afford to do against the better sides.”

Duncan Hefford is missing due to work commitments, but Dave Wrench returns in a more than fair swap. J J Williams has pulled out and is replaced by ShauneSmith

Braunton skipper Jon Baglow didn’t reveal if he was flattered by Walter’s view of his side, probably because he was concentrating on Plympton’s early season form.

“By the look of last week’s results Plympton are going to be strong this season and looking to go straight back up.

“Plympton, Exeter and maybe Brixham are probably favourites.

“I think in the middle of the table there will be a lot of close games this year and we need to make sure we c.

ome out on top in more than most.”

Baglow said there were lessons to be learned from the defeat at Abbotskerswell which need putting into pratice.

“Last week we batted well in the conditions and thought our score was about par,” he said.

“Bowling wise, we probably bowled more dot balls, but also bowled more four balls as well. 

“We need to cut the four ball out as quickly as possible, especially on wickets where runs are hard to come by.

“We are looking forward to the weekend to put some things right from last week.”

Baglow will need to make a couple of team changes as Wayne Manning and Tom Mitcham are both unavailable.

 

BRIXHAM are in high spirits for the big Bay derby at home to Paignton after easing to a 37-run win at Cornwood.

One win doesn’t mean much at this stage of the season on damp pitches against rusty players.

However, Brixham skipper Mark Orchard is happy to have a win on board going into a game against a team rained off against South Devon and short on match practice.

“It is the big one for us because it is a real derby and massive for Mark Gilmour as this is his first game in the league for us against his old club,” said Orchard.

“In Andy Kingdon and Seb Benton we will be up against two of the best batsmen in this division, if not the best.

“It is a while since we last played them and the last time we did they were promoted and we were relegated at the end of the season. I think they will find us a different team this time.”

Paignton were rained off against South Devon despite the efforts of the groundstaff to salvage the game.

Skipper Kingdon said the players were raring to get stuck into Brixham as they have not played a game yet.

"Brixham look a strong side this season so it is going to be a hard game to start with," opined Kingdon.


CORNWOOD are set to hand a debut to Minor Counties player Alistair Craig for tomorrow's match at Shobrooke Park.

Skipper Craig Harris is hoping the Bedfordshire man will be available to the Corns for the rest of the season.

Harris said: "Alistair is down here on a work placement and wanted to play for a club where he could enjoy his cricket.

"He's got a good background in the game – he has played for Bedfordshire in Minor Counties cricket.

"Alistair's working here at the moment and hopefully we've got him for the rest of the season."

Elliott Stadden comes into the team for the unavailable Andy Bees.


 

 


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