Devon Cricket Board - Couch installed as new Shaldon captain

Couch installed as new Shaldon captain

Flashback! Shaldon Optimists celebrate a promotion under outgoing captain Craig Greenwood (front row, centre)

THE captain who led Shaldon Optimists to three successive promotions has decided to call it a day.
Craig Greenwood took over the captaincy from Adam Dowsing for the 2011 season and led Shaldon to promotion as F Division runners-up behind Topsham St James.
Twelve months later the Optimists were promoted again, this time as runners up to Uplyme & Lyme Regis.
Greenwood then made it three in a row as C Division runners up to Clyst Hydon in 2013.
Shaldon were third in the C Division after six games last season, but faded from the promotion picture around halfway and finished eighth out of ten in the final table.
Mark Couch takes over as captain next season and his aim is to continue the good work done by Greenwood.
“Craig has stepped down after taking the team as far as he can – and surely securing a place in what will be a great history of the club for winning three promotions in a row,” said Couch.
“Craig deserves a massive ‘thank-you’ for what he has done. The determination and ethos he brought to this group of players will not be forgotten.”
Greenwood’s appointment coincided with the departure of top run-getter James Fulner, who left the club on a journey that took him to Torquay, Bovey Tracey and Abbotskerswell in search of cricket at a better level.
Seamus McKenna quickly filled the role vacated by Fulner and his starring role with the bat hasn’t gone un-noticed by clubs higher up the league ladder.
McKenna clubbed 688 runs last season in the C Division, averaging 48.14, following on from the 2013 campaign when he averaged nearly 58 from a tally of 751 runs. He also topped 500 runs in the Thomas Trophies T20 competition, including a century against Bovey Tracey.
Fulner returned last season; now it is McKenna who is looking to step up a level or two.
Bovey Tracey have emerged as favourites to sign McKenna, but wherever he ends up there will be a welcome for him at Hazeldown Oval.
“In what looks like a throwback to four years before, a star batsmen is leaving to seek higher-level cricket and all members of the club wish Seamus very well wherever he decides to play,” said Couch.
Shaldon have come a long way in a short time, having only been in existence for 20 years.
They joined the Devon League in 2006. playing at Combeinteignhead initially, but it took a move over the River Teign for the 2010 season to kick-start their progress through the divisions.
Membership rose and a 2^nd XI was formed to help cope with the influx and bring on younger players.
Facilities were improved by the creation of a kitchen, bar and showers for the dressing rooms. The improvements were noted by the Devon Cricket Board, who started using the club as a venue for matches.
The promotions kept coming until last season, when the 1^st XI consolidated. There was a promotion though as Rob Larkman’s 2^nd XI went up.

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