Devon Cricket Board - Piper determined to shake-off choker tag

Piper determined to shake-off choker tag

BRADNINCH intend to make their stay in the A Division as brief as possible after suffering relegation last year.
Having been promoted into the top flight for the first time in 2008 as runners-up to Bovey Tracey, it all came to an end last year.
Skipper Tim Piper, in charge for another season, said Bradninch regard themselves as a Premier club and don’t intend lingering long outside it.
“I am gutted we aren’t in the Premier this season – and so are all the lads who were here last year,” said Piper.
“I am not saying we didn’t deserve to go down as it was our own fault.
“There were two key games in the second half of the season – Cornwood and Torquay – that we both lost batting second when well placed to win.
“In crucial games against teams down at the bottom with us we didn’t play good enough cricket. We choked – simple as that.
“We want to go straight back up and stay there this time.
“The hard work is getting up – you need to win 13 or 14 games – but to stay up you only need five wins.”
Bradninch had run-machine Jackson Thompson with them last season -822 runs at an average of 54.31 with a Premier record of 222 against Budleigh Salterton – who has left for Cornwood this term.
Gian Botha, a South African living in Australia, has been recruited for the season ahead with a brief to fill the void left by Thompson’s departure.
In two seasons with Old Bristolians he has averaged more than 50 with the bat and taken some wickets as well.
“Gian netted with us two winters ago with a view to joining then so we know a bit about him already,” said Piper.
James Street, the former Exeter batsman, has made himself unavailable this season but Piper has picked up a ready replacement in Jack Horton.
Horton played Devon age-group cricket with Piper while at Plymstock and has recently moved back to his home county from the Midlands.
Greg Maher, who switched from Halberton & Sampford Peverell last season, will be available for the second half of the season.
Bradninch open the season with a trip to Plympton, one of the few teams they know a bit about having played them in the Premier Division as recently as 2011.
“It is going to be a bit of a journey into the unknown for us this season as some teams we haven’t played for years – and others like Lewdown we have never played at all,” said Piper.

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