- 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
HEATHCOAT don’t intend staying in the A Division longer than they have to after slipping out of the Premier Division last September.
Heathcoat survived by the skin of their teeth in 2011, but there was no last-day reprieve in 2012 when a patchy start to the campaign – just one win in the first 11 games – left too much to do.
Four wins in their last seven games – one of which was washed out – showed what Heathcoat could do on their day.
The task facing new skipper Sam Smith – he has taken over from departed Aussie Chris Small – is making sure Heathcoat have more good days than bad.
“Make no bones about it – we are targeting promotion this season,” said Smith, whose side are at home to Braunton tomorrow.
“Although we finished last season strongly, we have to accept we did not play enough good cricket over the season to stay up.
“We went to North Devon and bowled them out for 60 up there, but generally did better away than at home.
“If we are serious about going up we have to go into games determined to fight hard and win them.
Heathcoat have signed South African all-rounder Jean Rossouw to boost their prospects of a prompt return to Premier cricket this summer.
Rossow, 22, bats and bowls leg-spin, skills which brought him to the attention of the Easterns management in 2010-11.
First Class cricket didn’t work out for the young man from the Limpopo region of South Africa and he was released after two three-day games and five-one-day appearances.
Heathcoat have signed England-qualified Aussie Mitch Baker as well.
Baker who, comes from the same Sydney club (Bankstown) as Small, bowls a bit of leg-spin and bats in the top five.
Jason Parr, a first-change bowler who can bat in the bottom half of the order, has arrived from Tiverton & Bickleigh.
A late addition to the Heathcoat squad for 2013 is former Somerset paceman Steffan Jones, who has been out of the pro game for a couple of years. Last summer he played over the border for Bridgwater.
“Signing Steffan has been a huge bonus for us because of the way he approaches the game,” said Smith.
“Although not with us as a coach he is doing some practical stuff with us and the players are looking forward to having him around.”