Devon Cricket Board - Premier previews - Yau looking for 'big players' to shine

TORQUAY need a result against visiting Exeter as the bottom of the table is a bit too close for comfort after the defeat at Sidmouth last time out.
Torquay aren’t in the bottom two, but only have a 15-point cushion over Cornwood who are.
Skipper Justin Yau, who is away in on holiday, said before jetting out: “Players need to take more responsibility in their roles and play with pride and belief.
“Not enough fight was shown last weekend and we need to get going soon or we face a nervous few weeks.
“Our big players need to come to the fore - let's hope this week is when we do it.”
Neal Osborne has been lost to football so Tim Western and Ben Francis are in.
Exeter are among the frustrated mid-table teams with nothing to play for other than second place, such is Sidmouth’s dominance this season.
Skipper Miles Lenygon has aims for what’s left of the season and beating Torquay figures among them.
“There are certain teams above us who, I believe, are not as good as us,” said Lenygon.
“The season can still be a good one if we can push in to the top for and win the Devon Cup.
“It was always going to be a hard season in the sense that we have new players and varied availability.
“But there are six games left and a lot of points to play for.
“This Saturday will be a tricky one, especially down there.”
All-rounder Neal Prowse comes in for the absent Adam Gribble.
CORNWOOD host Exmouth hoping to continue the good form that resulted in victory at Heathcoat last week.
Enforced changes give opportunities to two young prospects who have been performing excellently at 2nd XI level this season: 17 year old Aaron Richards comes in for unavailable Ryan Rickard. Richards has already made a few 1st XI starts this season and has shown great composure with the bat.
Fifteen year old Matthew Petherbridge makes his 1stXI league debut – his is believed to be the youngest player to have achieved this at Cornwood.
Petherbridge – son of Dave, grandson of John – has Cornwod in his DNA. He replaces skipper Hall who has a family commitment this weekend.
Petherbridge has been taking lots of wickets in the 2nd XI and showed he wasn't phased at 1st XI level earlier this season in the Devon Senior Cup at Bradninch.
“It's in at the deep end for Matthew and we are confident that this will be an excellent experience for him on his development path,” said chairman of selectors Nick Goodliffe.
“Jackson Thompson will temporarily skipper the team tomorrow it's hoped his recent improvement in form and fortune will continue, whilst also leading the team.”
Exmouth aren’t expecting to make any changes.
BOVEY Tracey bring in seamer Sam Thomas for the visit of North Devon.
Thomas remplaces Sam Hickingbottom, who is on holiday.
Victory for either side – they are two points apart behind the top three – could make a big difference to final positions.
“It is a big game for us,” said Bovey captain Andy Fairbairn.
“A win would be our third in a row and would give us a good platform for the rest of the season.
“I think we are two evenly matched sides and we will need to be at the top of our game to win.”
LEADERS Sidmouth will be without opening batsman Liam Lewis and all-rounder Adam Dibble for the meeting with lowly Sandford.
Lewis is attending a wedding while Somerset’s Dibble is unavailable for selection.
Sandford skipper Jamie Palmer is looking to pick up points where he can against Sidmouth.
“Realistically, we are looking to pick up as many points as possible and stay in touch with teams around us,” said Palmer.
“To make our season better we need to be more clinical and have more self belief in our own abilities.”
Steve Morish, Tom Mitcham and veteran wicketkeeper Nigel Ashplant come into side.
PLYMOUTH captain Matt Hooper has warned his team they can’t rely on Gionne Koopman to make a hundred every week even though he has made two in a row.
Koopman took tons of Torquay and Sandford in successive games to help keep Plymouth second going into the meeting with Heathcoat at Mount Wise tomorrow.
It’s not all been down to Koopman – and Hooper said Plymouth would be wise to remember that.
“We have been really pleased with our season as a team, but we know we are going to have to fight to stay in second,” said Hooper.
“We are expecting a tough game and I hope for some big performances from our main players.
“Gionne is having a super second half of the season, which is great for him but I don't want this team to rely on one player so the other batters need to step up.
“We batted badly against North Devon last Saturday and again against Exeter in the cup so there must be some improvement there.
Heathcoat are one of the sides hovering above the drop zone, who aren’t entirely safe.
Qassim Adams has smashed big tons in the last two matches, which makes Heathcoat more of a threat than they were.
“We have seen them turn over some good teams so we know they have players that can do us some damage,” said Hooper.
“They seem to have a few individual batsman that have scored heavily but they seem to bowl well as a unit.”