- 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
EXETER’S new captain Miles Lenygon says there is no reason why the city side can’t challenge for the Premier Division title in 2014 despite finishing well down the table last term.
Lenygon, who has replaced long-serving Jon Tipper as skipper, said there was no one his side should fear in the season ahead on the basis of last summer’s campaign.
And with new players on board for 2014, plus the experience of a season back in the Premier Division, Exeter will be stronger than before.
“Last season was our first back in the Premier Division and although we finished sixth we beat everyone in he league apart from Exmouth and Torquay,” said Lenygon (pictured, left).
“Exmouth were champions and Torquay have some clever cricketers such as Matt Thompson and Nick Watkin and are a bit of a bogey side to Exeter.
“With a bit more consistency of selection, I don’t see why we can’t be competitive in all three forms of the game – league, cup and T20 – this year.
“I am not saying we are going to win anything – there are plenty of good sides in the Premier Division – but we will be competitive.”
Lenygon joined Exeter three years ago from Exmouth as he was looking for regular 1st XI cricket at the Maer and wasn’t getting it.
One of Lenygon’s first acts as captain was to get his former Exmouth team-mate George Greenway on board.
“It looks like we will be losing Matt Hicks halfway through the season as he wants to go travelling, so a bowling all-rounder like George is a good addition to our squad,” said Lenygon.
“Andrew Curtis (461 runs in 2013) will be with us in the first half of the season – and when he goes home from university we will have Rob Holman back. That works well.”
Aussie Blake Reed – leading run getter in 2013 with 752 at 50.13 – isn’t coming over this season. Lenygon said the Western Australian would be missed, but being without him isn’t a hammer blow.
“Blake is an exceptional player and what he did last year was win 50-50 games for us with a big innings,” said Lenygon.
“We have been looking at possible replacements, but it is getting late to tie someone up and we may not get anyone.
One player Lenygon is keen to get onboard is his former school mate Rhys Davies (pictured, right), who burst on to the Devon scene in a big way last year.“If we do I would like to bring in a bowler. Getting a batsman over means one of our own young lads dropping down the order.
Davies was with B Division Tavistock up to 2011, joined Premier side Exmouth for 2012 and surprisingly returned to Tavvy in 2013.
“Rhys was at Kings School, Taunton with me and got into the 1st XI there at the age of 14, which is how I know him,” said Lenygon.
“He had quite a season last year and has been picked up by MCC Young Cricketers as a result.
“If Rhys plays Premier Division cricket this season I am confident it will be with us.
“For that to happen he has to get approval from Lord’s.”
