Devon Cricket Board - Bideford aiming to go up again + Moore aiming of top four

Bideford aiming to go up again + Moore aiming of top four

BIDEFORD face an early test of their promotion aspirations when they visit Plymstock.
While Bideford were winning their long overdue promotion from the C Division last term, Plymstock were waging an unsuccessful battle to stay in the A Division.
Plymstock are determined to bounce straight back and Biddy captain James Ford is equally determined to go straight through the B Division.
“I am looking for Bideford to go up again,” said Ford. “The A Division is where we belong and the sooner we get back there the better.
“If we score runs we will win games. The only thing missing is a spinner as I am the frontline spinner and it is about time someone else came through.”
Bideford have picked up seamer Paul Heard from North Devon and Mike Lemmings, who may be the player Ford is looking for.
Lemmings has stepped up from North Devon League cricket with Beaford to join the Westward Ho! outfit.
Seamer Josh King is back from a season playing in Australia and ready to go!
Bideford’s new overseas player is Josh Roach, a top-order batsman from the Adelaide area.
WHAT a difference a year has made to the mood in the camp at Barnstaple & Pilton!
This time last year veteran captain Steve Moore was mainly concerned with keeping his young side out of the bottom two. He was more than happy with seventh out of ten.
Moore is now looking up the table rather than down it with sights set on something better.
“I am a lot more optimistic about this season,” said Moore.
“Last year was all about survival and bringing the youngsters on.
“This year we I am confident of a much better season and a top-four finish isn’t beyond us.”
Moore has lost spin bowler Henry McEndoo, 21 league wickets last season, who is in New Zealand for a couple of years. Brady Saunders – 256 runs in 2013 – is currently in Australia and misses the curtain raiser against Thorverton.
Inbound is Ollie Hunt, a batter with North Devon last season, and keeper-bat Andy Barton, who has been lured out of retirement.
Barnstaple & Pilton still have Devon Lion Jack Popham on their books, who has benefited from regular net sessions with the Gloucester Academy over the winter.
There is more than one Popham at the club though and Moore has high expectations of batsman Tom Popham for the season ahead.
“Tom batted well for us last season and I am looking to him to get up around the 600-run mark for us this year,” said Moore.

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