- 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
LAST season’s near miss will only spur Bovey Tracey on during the season ahead.
That’s the verdict of skipper Peter Bradley going into a new campaign that opens this Saturday with a visit from Exeter.
Bovey were top of the table with four games to go, then lost by 102 runs to Sidmouth who went on to win the title.
It is an unhappy memory but one haunted Bradley all winter, part of which he spent playing cricket in Australia to get over it.
“Up to game 15 we were top, then the wheels came off,” said Bradley.
“It wasn’s just losing to Sidmouth, but also the defeat by Torquay that cost us – and spared them from the drop.
“Win that one and we would have won the title and they would have been gonners.
“It’s small margins like that which can define a season.”
Bradley is hoping some squad strengthening during the winter, coupled with improved availability of key players, will make a difference.
The only possible fly in the ointment relates to Devon seamer Ryan Bougourd, whose work commitments may limit his appearances.
“Damian Bourke is our overseas from Australia and he looks a very competent batsman so far,” said Bradley.
“His first scoring shot against Exeter University over the weekend was a six over backward square – quite a shot.
“Matt Golding has come from Bradninch to bat at four and bowl his leg-spin and Richard Lake has come across from Abbotskerswell to test himself at the next level up.
“With Ben Ayres and Andy Fairbarn both available more often this year, we have a strong-looking squad.”
Although the 1st XI looks strong, Bovey have had a few problems with their 2nd XI, which won Premier Two last term.
Simon Newton and Mark Gribble have retired, Phil Baraclough has returned to New Zealand and the Thomas brothers – Jack and Ollie – have joined Chudleigh.
Bovey may not have it quite their own way in Premier Two this season.