- 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
NEW Plymouth captain Matt Hooper is looking forward to having veteran seamer Dave Burke back in action on a regular basis this season.
Burke, one of the most popular figures on the Devon League circuit for more than two decades since he started out with Roborough, missed most of last summer due to illness.
Burke (pictured, left) is fully fit and raring to go this summer – which can only bode well for Plymouth’s prospects.
Rival sides respect and fear Burke in almost equal measure, making him a potent weapon in the bowling attack.
“Dave has a great history around the club and we are all pleased to see him back around the place again,” said Hooper.
“I know he wants to do well for us this season and that can only be good news for us and bad news for the opposition.
“Opposing teams will see Burkie’s name on the team sheet and there first thought will be keeping him out when he is bowling.
“If that draws attention away from some of the other bowlers in our armoury, that’s no bad thing.”
Plymouth finished joint third with Bovey Tracey last season without managing to attract the same attention as the teams who finished above them, such as Exmouth and champions Sidmouth.
Hooper (pictured, right) is happy with the make-up of his 1st XI pool going into the new season and looking forward to making a bit of noise.
“Looking at the side I certainly don’t think we have anything to worry about,” said Hooper.
“We beat every other team in the division at least once last season and finished eight points behind SIdmouth.
“Apart from Sidmouth and Exmuouth who look like being the top two, the eight other clubs in the division are all capable of beating each other. It promises to be a competitive season.”
Plymouth haven’t signed huge numbers of players over the winter, as they are happy with the community club atmosphere created over the past couple of years by growing their own.
Newcomers such as Adam Cox have been welcomed, but otherwise there has been little transfer activity.
Chris Barr, last season’s overseas player and a top-10 performed in the Premier batting and bowling stats, isn’t coming over from Australia this year.
Hooper has replaced Barr as captain while the new overseas player is Marnus Laeushagne, a South African-born Queenslander who mainly bats and bowls a bit.
