Devon Cricket Board - Nichols backing Plymstock bowlers + Gilly in charge at Stoke

Nichols backing Plymstock bowlers + Gilly in charge at Stoke

PLYMSTOCK captain James Nichols believes his side can bowl their way back into the A Division at the first attempt.
Plymstock were relegated on the final day of last season, waging an unsuccessful battle to get ahead of Hatherleigh in the last round of fixtures.
It didn’t help that Seb Jordan packed in as captain midway through the season and headed to Liskeard, leaving former skipper Dave Orchard to do his best to keep Plymstock up.
Plymstock thought they had left the B Division behind in 2011 when they won it with South Devon runners-up.
Nichols intends the latest stay to be as short as possible and is confident he has the players to get straight back up.
Jordan is back and there are overseas recruits from Australia and New Zealand as well.
Dean Falco, an opening bowler and early order batsman, has arrived fresh from a productive winter in the Victoria Grade competition.
And Tom Te Wharne – a Kiwi living in Australia holding a UK passport – will be operating at the other end with the new ball.
Add in what Plymstock already have, which won’t include Hal Kerton, who has gone to Plymouth, and Nichols has a potent attack at his disposal.
“With four good seamers and three decent spinners, our attack is probably the best in the division,” said Nichols.
Nichols has done his homework on the sides in the division and reckons it will be super-close at the top.
“I think there will be a top five – us, Bideford, Tavistock, Ivybridge, maybe Axminster – and the rest,” said Nicholls.
“Who goes up will depend on who takes the most points off the teams in the bottom five.”
Nichols won’t be part of it on the field for the first month of the season though as he is getting over surgery on an old injury.
“It's disappointing but it's one of those things,” said Nichols.
We have put together an impressive match-day squad over the winter so I'm not worried about missing out – yet!
“I may even score for the ones in these games, at least that way I'll be able to get a free tea. Those of you who know me know I never pass up an opportunity for an extra meal.
“Scott Mansfield will be on skipper duties while I'm not playing, so the team is in safe hands.”
Plymstock get an early look at a likely promotion rival as they entertain Bideford on Saturday.
MARK Gilmour is the new captain of Stoke Gabriel, who have a South Hams derby date against Ivybridge to open the season.
Aussie Josh Dowling, who led the side last term on their return to the B Division, has gone home with his new wife and Gilmour was a good fit for the job.
A talented all-rounder, he has played at a higher level for Paignton, Brixham and Torquay.
The Gimour family have recently taken over a pub in the village, so it made sense to approach Mark.
Dowling scored 500 league runs last season and they will need replacing this term.
Steve Tolley, the club chairman and recently retired smasher of quickfire centuries, is looking to make up the shortfall from within.
Tolley hopes Rob Baker and Mark Newman, among others, will get among the runs this season.
Stoke managed to stave off the drop in the final weeks of the 2013 season, but need to improve substantially to avoid another relegation dog fight.
They only won two games in the second half of the season and one of those was against South Devon, who lost every game they finished!

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