Devon Cricket Board - Premier news - Bovey get good news on Lake + Plymouth look to bounce back

BOVEY Tracey skipper Peter Bradley has had good news and bad news about fast-bowling all-rounder Malcolm Lake.
The good news is that the former Zimbabwe U19 skipper’s availability situation has changed and he has become available for every game this season– apart from one.
The bad news is the one game he misses is Saturday’s trip to defending champions Sidmouth.
“One game you really want a player like Malcolm in for – and he can’t make it,” said Bradley.
Lake took four wickets for 23 runs against Paignton last Saturday before rain stopped play.
Also missing from Saturday’s line-up is spinner Sam Hickenbottom, who took three wickets against Paignton.
In come Charlie Hill to cover the bowling and Ben Ayres as batting cover.
Sidmouth are much changed from last season as bowlers Dan Babula, Scott Barlow and Josh Bess have all left the club, as has batter Will Sobczak.
Bradley said that is a lot of talent to lose, but Sidmouth cannot be thought of as anything other than serious title contenders.
“Batting wise there is Matt Cooke to come up the order where he would be at most other clubs – and Nick Gingell is back playing 1st XI cricket this year,” said Bradley.
“Sidmouth have lost a fair bit of bowling, but I am sure they have strength in depth.
“Their 2nd XI have been champions of their division five times in the last seven years, so you can’t tell me they don’t have a bit of depth there.”

EXETER’S new signing Will Hardwick is set to make his debut in the Premier Division clash at Torquay
Hardwick, a left-arm seamer, signed for the club earlier this week.
He came up through the Somerset youth system and played for Bridgwater in the West of England Premier League as a 16 year old.
More recently, he has been turning out for Cheshire side Alderley Edge.
Ben Green – who starred for Devon in their win over Dorset on Sunday – isn’t available.
Torquay name the same team that thumped Plymouth by nine wickets last Saturday.
“We have good momentum which we have carried through from the end of last season and we just need to keep it going,” said skipper Justin Yau.
“Exeter are an excellent side and we know it will be a very tough game.
“They have quality throughout their team but so do we as we proved against Plymouth.
“We just need to keep doing the simple things right at this stage of the season and try to keep picking up as many points as we can week by week, game by game.
“We know it will be a stern test but we are up to the challenge and cannot wait to get going.”

EXMOUTH will be without new arrival Jon Evennett when they entertain North Devon.
The former Exeter all-rounder is back in the game this season after the best part of a decade out.
Evennett has other commitment this Saturday so Exmouth will have to manage without him.
North Devon were turned over by Heathcoat last time out, not that Exmouth skipper Richard Baggs is taking too much notice.
“It was not a great start by North Devon, but they still got eight so it hasn't worked out badly for them as most of us only got six,” said Exmouth captain Richard Baggs.
Exmouth and North Devon are both tipped as title contenders this year, although Baggs is playing down the significance of the game so early in the season.
“It is a big game, but I think everyone will beat everyone this year.”

HEATHCOAT skipper Sam Smith has a queue of players eager to play against Plympton this Saturday.
Joe Smith, who made 75 in the win at North Devon last time out – isn’t available. He made 75 in a stand of 157 with brother Sam.
“With Joe unavailable there is a place up for grabs and at least four guys who want it,” said skipper Smith.
Plympton are new to the Premier this season and the survival rate of newly promoted sides isn’t great.
Smith knows that but says Heathcoat won’t be underestimating their opponents.
“Any team who gets promoted does so for a reason and Plymton will bring good cricketers to Knightshayes on Saturday,” said Smith.
“Although I don't know many of their players, I do know James Carr and a team he captains will not lie down without a fight.”
Plympton won’t be at full strength as Dan Robotham still away, Ryan Skinner has revising, Dom Mulberry has a school match and Jeremy Williams isn't available.
“But it is still a strong side and one looking forward to our first match back in the Prem and against a team we have played recently, not one we haven't seen for a while.
“Going to be a tough test after seeing their result last week against the team many fancy for the league so cant wait, It is what it is all about.”

PLYMOUTH are looking for a bounce back win against Paignton, whom skipper Sam Stein described as an unknown quantity.
“We don’t know a lot about them, other than they have a very young side just like us,” said Stein.
We are undoubtedly looking to bounce back strongly after our loss on Saturday, it wasn’t the ideal start as captain but things like that happen.
“I will make sure that the team are raring to go and put in a solid performance this weekend,.
We know we are a lot better than how we played on Saturday.
“We will address the things that didn’t go to plan and work on them at training.
“I know for a fact that everyone will be giving their all on Saturday.
Paignton were on the ropes at Bovey Tracey when rain stopped play after being bowled out chearply.
Acting captain George Benton – in charge while Connor Bryan is out injured – said there may have been mitigating factors but they could not be used as an excuse.
“We waited around most of the afternoon for our first game, which isn't how we would like to have started but that's no excuse for a poor batting performance,” said Benton.
“Credit to Bovey. They bowled very well.
We are ready for Plymouth after a good week of hard training so we will be prepared for “Saturday.”