Devon Cricket Board - Westaway urges North Devon to buck-up

NORTH Devon captain Matt Westaway has warned his team second best simply won’t do when leaders Sidmouth visit Instow tomorrow.
North Devon keep letting themselves down by losing matches, just when it seens they are about to gain significantly on the leading group of clubs.
After last Saturday’s setback at Exmouth, the Sandhills side are down to fifth with a 45-point deficit on Sidmouth.
Points count double tomorrow, which is the best incentive for North Devon to win the game.
“If we are mediocre, as we have been too often this year, we will get little or nothing out of the game,” said Westaway.
“We need a couple of players to bring their ‘A game’ along. If they do we are good enough to beat anyone in this division.
“If we don’t do that I don’t need to spell out the likely outcome against a team that has played the best cricket with bat and ball all season.”
Batter Rob Gear (right) and left-armer Matt Dart come into the side for Tom Ansell and Jamie Overton.
Ansell has gone away for work reasons and Overton is now back with Somerset.
Sidmouth skipper Will Murray heard what Westaway had to say and took it with a slight pinch of salt.
“I haven’t seen North Devon play this season so don’t know whether their batsmen are in form or not,” said Murray.
“I can see the scores they are making like anyone else – and it surprises me they are not making a few more runs.
“We have played North Devon often enough over the past few years to know the damage their batsmen can do if they get going.”
Sidmouth will be without middle-order batter Will Sobczak who is at Glastonbury. Nick Gingell comes in.
Somerset’s Adam Dibble is in the team, but may not bowl due to a hamstring strain.
EXETER, at home to Cornwood, show a couple of changes to the side that beat Plymouth.
Keeper Robin Fern has to work so Will Steward gets the gloves back.
Seamer Andy Mead comes in for spinner Matt Williamson.
PLYMOUTH will be looking to bounce straight back from the defeat by Exeter that cost them second place when they host Exmouth.
Exmouth’s win over North Devon propelled them into second place so this is a perfect chance for Plymouth to get it back.
To do that they need to talent to turn potential into performances.
“We know roughly what we are going to get from Exmouth and, like any side in this division, they have players who can win them the game,” said Plymouth skipper Matt Hooper.
“Our batters need to provide a target to bowl at this week. I can see a score from James Toms just around the corner and Ben Stein is looking good at the top.
“Our middle order have bailed us out when we haven't scored runs early but that didn't happen last weekend so I know they'll be desperate to put that right against Exmouth.
“Our bowling wasn't too great last weekend so I am expecting an improvement this week.
“Robbie Bennett is looking back to his best, Sam Stein is desperate to get back amongst the wickets and Dave Burke’s class is well documented.
“I am looking to see how we fair in what has been a difficult couple of weeks for us.
“A win would set us up nicely for the second half of the season.”
Exmouth skipper Richard Baggs makes changes again, something he is getting hacked off about.
“Again there are changes to the team,” said Baggs, who welcomes back Seb Benton (left).
“So far we have used 19 players this year, which is not good and annoying.
“We put in a great performance last week so the same again is really what we want.”
HEATHCOAT host Sandford in a big mid-Devon derby with a huge amount riding on it.
Sandford are in the second drop spot and Heathcoat are the side they have to get ahead of.
Win tomorrow and Sandford trade places with their neighbours. Lose and the gap could widen from eight points to 20 or more.
Sandford give Rory Millar comes his debut and Shaun Hawkins returns after good performances with the seconds. Batters Adrian Small and Tom Mitcham are unavailable.
TORQUAY have wicket-keeping problems for their date with Bovey Tracey at Ashburton Road.
Keeper and captain Justin Yau is out with a broken finger – and Devon keeper Matt Thompson has work commitments.
There aren’t too many options left, although asking Nick Watkin may be one of them. He used to keep wicket for Devon in the U21s before taking up seam bowling.
Torquay have stormed up the table thanks to wins over Sandford, Heathcoat and Cornwood – and are only eight points behind Bovey in sixth place.
Torquay were hammered by nine wickets in the corresponding game last season - Damian Bourke smashing a century.
But back at the Recreation Ground the rematch went to Torquay by two wickets.

Bovey trounced Sandford last time out and more of the same is the plea from skipper Andy Fairbairn, whose side has won three of its last four outings.

“Hopefully weather will hold so we can get a good game in,” said Fairbairn.

“Both teams are in form and we are looking forward to the challenge.

“It's important for us to win and finish the first half of the season on a high.

“We've had a good little run recently and will be looking to keep it going.

“Sam Wyatt-Haines is back for us now, which is great and strengthens us all round.”