Devon Cricket Board - Premier previews - Metters back for Exmouth

EXMOUTH skipper Richard Baggs believes the Premier Division title race remains wide open even though his team are joint top of the table.

It is neck and neck between Bovey Tracey and Exmouth on 198 points, followed by Sidmouth in third on 183 after their demolition job on Plymouth.

There is a gap of 28 points down to Exeter and North Devon in joint third, which might seem too wide to bridge.

Baggs doesn’t see it though and is particularly worried about form side North Devon.

“No one has beaten North Devon since Sidmouth did it in week five and since then they have won seven on the trot,” said Baggs.

“North Devon now look a powerful side on paper – just ask Exeter about that – and if they keep winning they are bound to come into the reckoning.”

Exmouth are away to Budleigh Salterton tomorrow – and are taking no chances against the team 31 points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Warwickshire spinner Chris Metters continues his comeback after surgery on a bad shoulder with a game for is old club – and Gary Chappell is back after a week off.

The challenge facing Budleigh, whose flight at the foot of the table is starting to look irredeemable, is how to come back from last Saturday’s mauling by Bradninch and double-ton batter Jackson Thompson.

“Three times before 30 we could have had him out – two lbw and once caught behind – but that’s cricket,” said skipper Joel Murphy.

“It isn’t often you can say we were beaten by one man, but it’s true on this occasion.

“It was a good batting pitch and a fast outfield – and he teed off.

‘Some of the shots he played are generally only used by the pros, such as picking the ball up outside off-stump and swinging it away over leg for six.

“Most of his sixes would have been six on any ground in Devon.

Murphy said despite the pounding at Bradninch, his side still have their heads up.

“How we respond this Saturday is crucial. If we don’t show some appetite for the fight there is no point turning up.

“ Bob Dawson has been a run machine this season, but there are other fighters in the team.

“Lloyd Murrin’s knock against Bradninch was gutsy and had we been chasing 230-240 was the sort that wins you games.”

EXETER will be anxious to avoid a third straight defeat when play Cornwood this Saturday.

Back-to-back losses against Torquay and North Devon have slowed Exeter’s charge up the table. They are still fourth but sit 43 points behind joint leaders Bovey and Exmouth.

Exeter are almost unchanged – all-rounder Ben Green is missing - although skipper Rob Holman wants to see the outcome improve.

“I am looking forward to seeing youngsters like Harry Booker, Matt Hicks and Andy Curtis rediscover the form that took us so high up the table last month,” said Holman.

BRADNINCH captain Tim Piper is looking ahead rather than back with a trip to Sidmouth looming.

Bradninch batsman Jackson Thompson was the centre of attention after the last round of matches following his whirlwind 222 against Budleigh Salterton.

In 43 years of Premier Division cricket no one had scored a top-flight double hundred, although Budleigh’s James Burke went mighty close with 196 against Plymouth back in June.

Focused captains say it is the next game that matters – not the last one – and Piper is clearly on message there.

Sidmouth is always one of the tougher games in the season, especially at their home ground,” said Piper.

“To accentuate that, Sidmouth need to win to keep within touching distance of the top two.

If you asked Will (Murray) -although I'm sure he wouldn't say - he would be thinking we are a good target to get 22 points against.

“Personally, I think it will be a good match.

“'I am expecting to have pitch conditions that suit our team.

Our players are in some good form and we have match winners.”

Team news is that keeper-batter Matt Vercoe-Curtis comes back to replace Eliot Acton.

TORQUAY have to be wary of the bounceback factor when they entertain Plymouth.

While Torquay were putting up a brave fight against Exmouth last time out, Plymouth had a pointless afternoon against Bovey.

Bovey bowled Plymouth out for 70 – Neil Hancock getting half the side out – then knocked them off for the loss of just one wicket.

“Take no notice of Plymouth's lack of form as they have four or five quality players, among them James Toms, Marnus Labuschange, Dave Burke, Ben Stein and Rob Bennett,” said Torquay vice captain Matt Thompson.

“It is only a matter of time before they start winning again. Hopefully it won't be against us.”

Torquay will be without holidaying all-rounder Joe Thompson, batter Justin Yau and veteran left-hander Tim Western, who is going with the 2nd XI to Lewdown for their must-win D Division game.

Ben Francis and Richard Hancox make first-team debuts while Neal Osborn comes back in.

“Though our resources are being stretched to their absolute limit this weekend with absences, there is absolutely no reason why we can't get a result on Saturday,” said Thompson.

“It's fantastic to see young lads like Neal and Ben coming in on merit and I'm sure they will be giving 110 per cent, which will rub off on the rest of us.”

Plymouth skipper Matt Hooper has spelled out what he wants to see – no prizes for guessing!

“Our batters know they have to improve on last week,” said Hooper.

“They are better than they showed against Bovey so I am expecting them to bounce back this week.

“There is a lot of runs in our order so I am expecting them to take responsibility and get some on the board.”

Hooper also reminded the bowling unit, which he is a member of, there is a job to be done.

“We beat Torquay fairly comfortably at our place, but they battled it out until the finish,” he said.

“We got amongst their batting order early that day and we will be looking for the same again.”