Devon Cricket Board - Yau back for another crack with Torquay

Yau back for another crack with Torquay

NO dramas is the slogan adopted by Torquay captain Justin Yau for the Premier season ahead, which starts with a trip to Plymouth this Saturday.
Yau is in his second stint at the Recreation Ground tiller, having done five years between 2008-2012.
Yau’s first spell was turbulent enough with a two battles against relegation – one unsuccessful – followed by two attempts at getting back into the top flight again.
When Yau left for a job in London at the end of the 2012 season, Torquay had finished one place clear of the drop zone.
Torquay finished two off the bottom last season under former captain Ben Passenger, a modest improvement if nothing else.
Yau is a great one for positive approaches and view the season ahead that way.
“Since we came back up we have spent most of our time fighting relegation battles,” said Yau.
“This season I want us to stabilise in the Premier Division and take the attitude we can be competitive in every game we play.
“We needed to strengthen, which we have tried to do, and a solid finish in mid-table is our target.”
Yau made a triple swoop after Christmas for a trio of imports, signing Pakistani all-rounder Fahad Iqbal, Aussie Mitchell Pugh and South African Tom Marrow.
Iqbal is a First Class regular at home with Pakistan International Airways while Pugh plays for Manly in Sydney and Marrow captains South West District U19s.
Pugh and Marrow arrived in plenty of time for the start of the new season. Iqbal hasn’t made it yet due to problems getting a visa issued.
“He is hoping to book his flight any day now, but can’t until his visa comes through, which may be a few days or a few weeks,” said Yau.
Passenger should feature from time to time this season, but does need a knee operation sooner rather than later.
Veteran seamer Ian Baker, the last member of Torquay’s 1997 Premier Division-winning squad still playing, has barely missed a net after recovering from a shoulder injury that limited him to one game last term.
“Ian is the fittest bloke in the team,” said Yau.
As the season pans out Torquay expect to see batters Aaron Williams and Matt Hickey pitch up and play.
Somerset’s Max Waller remains registered and will play when his commitments allow.
Youngsters Josh Hunt and Neal Osborne are pencilled in for the trip to Plymouth, as is left-armer Jack Richardson.
Richardson, who left Exeter to join Torquay last season, has worked hard in the winter and will take the new ball against Plymouth.

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