Devon Cricket Board - A Divison - Exeter won't ease up with title in bag

A Divison - Exeter won't ease up with title in bag

EXETER won’t be easing up against Paignton even though they have promotion in the bag and the A Division title as good as sewn up.
Cornwood, Paignton and Brixham are all in with a chance of finishing runners-up and taking the second promotion place.
The odds favour Cornwood – who face winless South Devon at Oak Park – but nothing is cut and dried.
“We need two more points to be sure of the title and it would be easy to get them and switch off,” said Exeter skipper Jon Tipper.
“I can assure all the teams behind us we will be playing it properly to the end.
“We have Cornwood next Saturday so two teams hoping to go us have to play us.
“As a mark of respect for the competition we will go flat out to win both matches.”
Spinner Adam Gribble is missing against Paignton – Mike Wilkinson comes in – but otherwise Exeter are at full strength.
Paignton skipper Andy Kingdon said he doubted his side could finish second after bad results against Plymstock and Plympton dropped them 18 points behind second place.
“We have thrown it away during the last two games really,” said Kingdon.
“But we will play hard till the end of the season and hope we get some luck somewhere which we have been with out this year.”
Kingdon isn’t playing tomorrow so Seb Benton will lead the side.
Cornwood captain Craig Harris knows exactly what’s needed against South Devon – they have to win.
“We've put in some real hard yards over the past few weeks since the mid-season blip when we lost to Exeter and Paignton.
“We have responded in a commendable fashion. Four wins from four and only dropping one point along the way - no better way to head in to the last two rounds of games.
“Having played South Devon once this season we know we will need to play discplined and confident cricket throughout the whole game and not play with any complacency. With their fate having been decided already we must be cautious of any of their players coming out with a relaxed and care-free attitude.
“Some times it can only take one knock to take a game away from you.
“Our players have nothing to fear and will be bang up for the challenge of making it five from five.”
Plympton entertain Brixham out of the running and well aware why.
“We haven't got a lot to play for in the last two games because of our inconstant form during the season,” said skipper Andy Walter.
“With Cornwood nearly certain of taking second spot, all we can do is finish as high as we can.
“It also gives us a chance to give one or two youngsters a chance to get involved with first team cricket.
“Brixham are a good side but hopefully we'll have the fight we had last week at Paignton and come away with the result.”
Jez Williams, Craig Donohue and Duncan Hefford come in for Jamie Pfeiffer, Tim George and Joe Gilpin.
At the other end of the table Abbotskerswell can make themselves 100 per cent safe by beating Shobrooke Park.
Marcus Green, Mike Pugh, Alun Lewis, Mark Porter, Toby Codd and Hugo Whitlock all add depth to the squad.
“I am looking for maximum points to keep us safe before the last game of season - and aiming for sixth spot,” said captain Richard Lake.
“This is going to be a tough game as Abbots will be looking to stay out of the relegation zone,” said Shobrooke’s Justin Dollow.

“Even missing a few players from what they had in the first half, will not really impact very much.
“The result of this game could settle the fate of both teams.”
Plymstock – at home to real worriers Braunton - still aren't safe in their push for a-division cricket next season.
An absolute hammering at Brixham last week left them 27 points away from the danger positions.
This week Plymstock are without opening bowler Hal Kkerton again, but batter Steve Coomer return from holiday.

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