Devon Cricket Board - Ipplepen look ahead to new season

Ipplepen look ahead to new season

'IF it ain't broke, don't fix it' has been the mantra at Ipplepen during the off-season, with the club still buoyant after claiming three league titles in 2011.

With the 1st and 2nd XIs winning their respective divisions in the Francis Clarke Devon Cricket League, and the South Devon League team also securing top spot, officials at the Moor Road club have seen little need to change what has clearly become a winning formula.

The 1st XI romped to the D Division title with a team that usually contained eight players aged under 25. The 2nd XI secured top spot in C Division with a more experienced line-up, supported by two or three younger players. Skipper Simon Tapley is pictured receiving the league trophy from competition vice-chairman Stuart Munday.

Both teams will again aim to blend youth and experience, with just the usual small issues around availability of the younger players through university and A-level commitments to contend with.

Most of the focus since the end of last season has been on continuing the club's youth development policy, with around 20 young players benefitting from the newly established winter academy.

Seven of last season's title-winning 1st XI emerged through the junior ranks and the club hope players like Johnny Norman, Tom Crocker, Jack Wylie and Liam Price will continue to progress through senior cricket in the coming year.

Ipplepen's attention now turns to the senior sides, with indoor nets starting on Sunday, February 26 at Seale Hayne (4-6pm).

The club are expecting to retain the majority of their 2011 playing corps, although a small number of new faces may be involved.

Overseas help is again expected to arrive from the Taranaki District of New Zealand, where club stalwart Luke Tuckett has spent the winter playing Premier-grade cricket for Andrew Mason's Woodleigh club.

Mason has not played a competitive game of cricket since his last Ipplepen appearance in 2011 as serious back problems have ruled him out for several months.

However Mason, Tuckett and former player-coach Jamie Watkins have all helped the Pens find players willing to make the journey to South Devon for the summer.

The only significant change to the club's senior cricket structure in 2012 will be the addition of a fourth league side, in the shape of a 2nd XI in the South Devon League.

Ipplepen's head coach Chris Partridge will be captaining that side, which is expected to feature a large number of U15 and U17 players alongside some more experienced players returning to the game after taking time out for family commitments.

Keith Wakeham (pictured, left), who is soldiering on as 1st XI captain said: "We go in to the new season full of confidence, but will remind players last season has gone and with all teams playing in higher divisions we need to work even harder this year.

"It is great to have such a settled squad of players, but if anyone would like to come and join us we would always welcome fresh blood."

Senior players interested in joining Ipplepen CC should contact Wakeham on 07540 053489, or visit the new club website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/ipplepen

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773