- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
SHOBROOKE Park have turned to all-rounder Phil Anning as their new captain for the season ahead.
Anning, the younger brother of Devon fast bowler Trevor Anning, joined Shobrooke from Exmouth a couple of years ago.
After a disrupted 2013 campaign during which they got through two captains – Chris Ford taking over mid-season from Justin Dollow – Shobrooke will be hoping for a period of stability.
Ford, who is chairman of selectors again this summer, is looking to steer well clear of the bottom half of the table.
Shobrooke were only nine points clear of the B Division drop zone at the halfway stage of last season, but pulled clear in the second half.
Chris Simpson’s form with the bat helped – the Surrey-born Aussie topped the 400-run mark – and Ford hopes Simpson will be part of the squad again this term.
“Although we brought Chris over last year he wasn’t an overseas player as such because he has a UK passport,” said Ford.
“We have been looking at a replacement this year anyway and have one in the pipeline who looks pretty handy.
“Chris never actually went home at the end of last season as he got a carpentry job locally – and started playing rugby for Crediton.
“He has to Australia in April for a family wedding, but it seems he will be coming back.
“If we get the overseas player we are after I would expect us to be comfortably mid-table. With Chris as well we may push a bit higher.”
Shobrooke intend to bring on the youngsters this year, which may allow old campaigners like Pete Turner and Richard Pyle to slip into the 2nd XI after years of jobs well done.
Ford has his eye on a couple of lads in particular who both shone in the 2nd XI last term.
“Jamie Goodman got better as the season went on and was starting to score 40s and 50s by the end of it,” said Ford.
“The other lad who came on substantially was Nick Ladd, who came to us as a colt from Sandford.
“At the start of the season he was running in and spraying it all over the place.
“By the end of it, thanks to some hard work on coaching nights, he was one of our leading wicket takers.”