- 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
BOVEY Tracey are nothing if not consistent in the Premier Division with three third-place finishes in a row.
The question facing new skipper Andy Fairbairn, who has taken over the captaincy from Peter Bradley, is how to improve?
“Not losing to Torquay in the second half of the season would definitely help,” said Fairbairn.
“Last season and the one before we were right up there until we lost to Torquay both times, then we started to waver.
“What we tend to do is have a good first half of the season when we look capable of winning the league, then fall away in the second half.
“This season we have to make sure we do a job on Torquay and get that particular monkey off our back.
“I would like to think we can finish in the top three again, although I am reluctant to set too many targets in a season when everyone appears to have strengthened.
“Exmouth will take some beating, so will Sidmouth, Exeter and North Devon, and you have to say Plymouth and Torquay have strengthened significantly.
“Just getting in the top four will be a challenge given the competition around.”
Fairbairn hasn’t exactly been idle over the winter, signing on South African quick Nathan Roberts who has played for Boland, Zimbabwe U19 captain and batter Malcolm Lake and Sam Hickinbottom, who has played through the age-groups for Leicestershire.
The only notable absentee is paceman Joe Barrs, who has switched to Exeter after playing the first half of the last three seasons a Bovey.
“Joe is in his last year at Exeter University and lives across the road from the Exeter ground,” said Fairbairn.
“He generally goes home in June to play for Saffron Walden and Cambridgeshire, but this season Somerset have been showing an interest in him.
“Joe has decided to stay available all season for Somerset and it makes sense if he is living in Exeter to play for them.
“We have wished him all the best and hope it works out for him.”