Devon Cricket Board - A Division previews

PLYMPTON will be parading their ‘First Class’ bowling attack again in the top-of-the-table clash with Exeter on the County Ground.
Somerset’s Lewis Gregory can’t get in the 1st XI at Taunton right now and has been released to play for his home-town club.
Aamer Hayat bowls for Lahore at home in Pakistan and in tandem with Gregory shot Plymstock out for 125 last time out.
As far as Exeter captain Jon Tipper is concerned, the season starts tomorrow.
“No disrespect to any of the teams we have played already, but none of them tested us in the way Plympton will,” said Tipper.
“Plympton are a strong side when Gregory doesn’t play and we all saw what he did to Plymstock last Saturday.
“It is going to be tough, but that’s fine by us. These are the games you look forward to. Good club players like to test themselves against the best.”
For the second week running Plympton captain Andy Walter is unable to play due to family commitments.
Dave Wrench remains in charge and, like Tipper, sees it as a testing game.
He added: “We are two strong, young teams at the top of the table and I expect the game will show the quality in this division.”
Team news from the Plympton camp is that they will be unchanged.
Exeter are minus batter Alex Bosomworth and bowler Andy Mead, but Tipper feels he has quality replacements in Cameron Grainger and Jack Richardson.
BRAUNTON will be disappointed not to beat Shobrooke Park to stay hard on the heels of the A Division leaders.
Skipper Jon Baglow has been around too long to get carried away by a good start, but agrees it is so far so good.
“I thought, with the lack of an overseas and any incoming players, it could be a long season and a struggle for results,” said Baglow.
“The first three games have been very enjoyable, if not close results, and the atmosphere among the players is very good.
“I am not expecting anything from the season in terms of going up, that does not even enter my thinking, but players have embraced our situation and taken responsibility for their own games.
“Our performances have not been brilliant, we have a lot to work on, but we have stuck together in difficult situations and come out on top against decent opposition. We are moving in the right direction.
“ Shobrooke will be another close game. They had a losing draw at our place last season and judging by the result against Exeter last week, they again will be prepared to fight for every point.
“So far there have been no easy points gained and I don't see that changing this weekend.”
Harry Booker is unavailable due to a school match, so Jon Higgs plays his first game of the DL season as another bowling option.
CORNWOOD captain Craig Harris is looking for more of the same in the eagerly awaited derby tussle with Plymstock.
The Corns put a disappointing display against Brixham behind them by handing out a hiding to Paignton last Saturday.
Harris said lessons were learned in the defeat by Brixham and are being put to good use.
“As a group we said after last week’s game how bad we felt after throwing away a good chance against Brixham in the first week of the season, and how winning against Paington felt so much better,” said Harris.
“I think that was enough for all of us to realise how important it was to not switch off in these tight games.s
“Our division is going to be tight and i think there are still going to be times when a team clicks and throws up a curveball.
“The Plymstock game we know we will be a challenge in itself, especially as they will be trying to pick up some points following last weeks defeat by Plympton.
“We are confident, but won't be expecting anything given to us, so are looking forward to another game in which we need to work hard for our spoils.”
Cornwood are unchanged.
PAIGNTON may be winless, but Abbots skipper Richard Lake is under no illusions it will be an easy outing for his team at Queens Park.
We would like to make it win three from four, but Paignton will be looking for their first win,” said Lake.
Marcus Green is out this week but ex-Alphington all-rounder Mark Porter comes in on the back of a good 50 in the Newton T20 on Wednesday night.
Alun Lewis’s return means batting all the way to 11.
Paignton captain Andy Kingdon is looking for his batters to fire in pursuit of that first victory.
Hoping this week for one of the top-four batters to get a score, especially myself and Seb Benton as neither of us have yet to make a contribution,” said Mann.
Keeper Justin Mann comes into the side instead of Simon Mantell who is injured. Steven George replaces Terry Farkins and spinner Tom Field comes in for Pete Taylor.
BRIXHAM, who visit South Devon, have lessons to learn from their defeat by Braunton.
“Had we batted our over we would have come away with a winning draw instead we've lost the game through our own inexperience,” said skipper Mark Orchard.
“Hopefully things will be learned quickly as it is criminal in my eyes!
“This week we have to bounce back against a side who are scrapping every week at the moment so they will be a opposition we will not be taking lightly.
“Do the simple things we should come away with the right result.
Changes: Tim Robinson and Joe Hyde are away. Ryan Shepherd and Mark Gilmour are unavailable.
Andrew Lewin and Rhys Dallow come in with Will Matthewman and Adam Edwards who are back from University.
South Devon welcome back former skipper and press-on batsman Henry Burningham, but are without holidaying youngster Jonty Parsons and Jimmy Hart.
South Devon have gone three games without a win and need to turn things around to get out of the bottom two.
“We know what is required, we just need to piece together all three aspects for a 100 overs,” said captain Adrian Hewings.
“We've bowled well in the main and batted in patches, but have had too many starts not converted.
“Brixham will be a tough test given their previous campaign and start to season.”