Devon Cricket Board - Paignton looking to snatch top spot

PLYMSTOCK take on local rivals Plympton at Dean Cross, looking to take confidence from last weekend’s results out on to the field.
“We had a great win against Braunton on Saturday which was followed up by a very clinical performance on Sunday at Plympton in the cup,” said vice-captain James Nicholls.
“Myself with105 not out and Mark Abbott (133no) have shown that if one of the top order takes responsibility and bats through then we can amass match winning totals.
“We now have a settled batting order with Mark opening and me at three so this allows us to plan much better for the matches.
“As for our bowlers, they have been great all season and it's nice to see captain Seb Jordan recovering from his knee injury and bowling back at a top standard.
“As for last weekend, we played well for most of the game and showed great character as a team to come through and get the win.
“We need to be more pro-active in the field and make things happen instead of just expecting them to.
“We should have finished off Braunton much earlier when they were 100-5 and we cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal like that.
“But with the batting and bowling plans and partnerships we are putting together this will only improve.”
“As for Plympton this weekend we know they will be a different animal from Sunday and I am anticipating a very good game played to a high standard.
“If you look at the sides we are pretty similar, we both have strong batting line-ups with depth and lots of bowling options.'
'A win for us on Saturday would carry on our push up the table towards the second spot As Heathcoat (top) and Paignton (2nd) are playing each other, we have the chance to make up ground.
“As for an inter-city match there is always a little bit more on it, but we will be focussing on our game and treating it like any other game of cricket, if we perform to last weekends standards then we have a good chance.”
Plymstock make one change this week with Josh Hocken coming in for Callum Cload. Dave Orchard and George Barnicott return having missed Sunday’s cup game.
Plympton captain Jeremy Williams has a lot less to say ahead of the game.
“We have two changes from last weekend as Dan Vince and Craig Donohue are both unavailable,” said Williams.
“Matt Gregory returns to the team and we are giving a league debut to 16 year old Jamie Lee, a very promising seamer who had been performing strongly this season in the second team and more than deserves his opportunity.”
ABBOTSKERSWELL captain Richard Acton is calling for more application from the batters in the game against visiting Brixham.
Abbots fell away badly at Plympton last time out, which Acton says wasn’t acceptable.
“I am looking to get back on track with a win against Brixham,” said Acton.
“I was disappointed with the way we batted last week, to be bowled out with seven overs to go chasing isn't good enough.
“The batsmen know they need to bat more time and occupy the crease for longer.
“Our bowling was again very good. We restricted Plympton well in the middle order.
“Looking for the same this weekend with fewer extras and boundary balls given away.
“If we can do this and bat time then we have a great chance against Brixham, especially at home.”
Marcus Green replaces Alex Birt and Greg French comes in for Dave Palmer.
PAIGNTON can take over at the top of the A Division if they beat leaders Heathcoat.
The two sides met on Sunday in the Devon Cup when Paignton won by two wickets.
A repeat will put Paignton ahead of Heathcoat, whose lead is only four points.
“It is a big game, however we take a lot away from our win over them on Sunday,” said skipper Connor Bryan.
“The form my team are in at the moment is fantastic and I couldn't ask for much more from the members.
“We have trained hard throughout this week and look forward to the game on Saturday.
“The teams is similar to last week, however we are taking Rob Shergold away with us.”
Heathcoat have gone for extra batting, bringing in Jack Menheneott and Steve Harding for Matt Hague and Jamie Drew.
“This will strengthen our batting and allow us to bat with slightly more freedom, said skipper Sam Smith.

BARTON captain Adam Parker wants his ‘nearly men’ to get it right when Hatherleigh visit Cricketfield Road.
Barton are going close – just ask Plympton and Sandford – but not quite getting over the line.
We need to carry forward our bowling and fielding performance from Sandford last week and back it up with better batting,” said Parker.
“Do the basics right and take responsibility for our wickets and we have a good chance of turning the nearly wins into wins.”
Chris Needham and Steve Lewis are unavailable so in come Andy McVeigh and Alex Hunt.
Hatherleigh are unchanged, but skipper Mark Lake wants a change of attitude after losing to Paignton in a low-scoring affair.
“Looking to put things right from last weekend, “ said Lake.
“We need to make opponents work for our wickets, rather than give them away easily.”