Devon Cricket Board - Exeter eager to get to grips with Premier Division

Exeter eager to get to grips with Premier Division

EXETER skipper Jon Tipper believes the challenge of playing Premier cricket next season is something to relish not fear.
The County Ground outfit sealed promotion back to the top flight last Saturday after beating Braunton and took the two points needed to claim the title from yesterday's rained-off game at Paignton,
Exeter haven not lost a league game all season and beat Premier side Plymouth in the Devon Cup as well. Their only defeat in any competitive game of more than 20 overs this term was by Bovey Tracey in the cup semi-finals.
Exeter made an inglorious exit from the Premier Division in 2010 - played 18, won three - but Tipper is confident they can survive when they return.
'Had you asked my opinion after we were tanned by Bovey Tracey I might have answered differently, but the answer now is yes,' said Tipper.
'You need depth to progress as a club and I think we have that now.
'Our third team has won its division for the second successive season and our seconds have been close to the top of Premier Two all summer.
'We have seen players like Alex Bosomworth and Jack Richardson come through the teams to the firsts - and there are others eager to follow them.
'It is the younger players, like Cameron Grainger, Merrick Steward and Miles Lenygon who have benefited from our two years in the A Division.
'They are all around again next season and I expect to see all three really flourish in the Premier environment.'
High on Tipper's wanted list for 2013 will be a bowler or two, ideally a quickie and a spinner.
Lively pacer Andy Mead is effective when he plays, but work commitments will restrict him to just a handful of games in the first half of the season.
And English-qualified Aussie spinner Callum Still is unlikely to be around for a third season, although Tipper is keeping is fingers crossed.
Still has taken 43 wickets this season and replacing those has to be a priority.
'I would love Callum to be back next season as he is just the sort of bowler who will pick up wickets in the Premier Division,' said Tipper.
'He works for himself in Melborne and we have been lucky he is able to take the time off to come over and play for us.
'I will be trying go get him back. Never say never is my motto.'

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