Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division

Plymouth go to Sandford with only one win bagged so far and a bit too close for comfort to the drop zone.
They were second best at North Devon in the rain last Saturday and captain Callum Whittaker appears to know why.
“We must do better in all departments,” said Whittaker, who leads an unchaged side.
“We have to bowl and field with more discipline and, especially at the top of the innings, bat with our brains.
“Do the simple things as well as we know we can and we will give Sanford a good game.”
Sandford are also in the lower half of the table, but have a 21-point cushion between themselves and second-bottom Plymouth.
Skipper Matt Theedom said no team anywhere in the top flight can rest on its laurels this season as the new win-lose format has ramifications which have not sunk in yet.
“Now the draw has gone teams are going to be moving up and down the table very quickly for a while before it settles down,” said Theedom.
“The bonus points stay the same, but every week half the table will pick up 50 points in wins and the other half nothing at all.
“At first there will be jostling for position, but by around halfway I reckon there will be two groups of five, one contesting the title and the other fighting to stay up.”
BUDLEIGH Salterton skipper Joel Murphy said his batsmen have to start producing the goods if the team is going to get away from the wrong end of the Premier Division.
The Otters make their shortest trip of the season today when they head to Sidmouth just seven points clear of the relegation danger area.
One win in four starts – they were rained off against Heathcoat on the first day of the season when everyone else played – is not a great return.
Murphy said he can see what is going wrong, now it is up to the players to do something about it.
“We are not scoring enough runs and that’s because not enough of the batsmen are contributing,” said Murphy.
“Bob Dawson and James Burke have consistently been getting runs, but I can’t recall anyone else scoring a 50.
“I don’t like the term transitional very much, but that is the sort of season we are in.
“Players have had bit parts in the past are now older and have to start contributing if they want to prove themselves as Premier cricketers.”
Sidmouth make one change to their line-up, brining in early-order batsman Anthony Griffiths for Somerset’s Adam Dibble, who is injured.
Leaders Bovey Tracey go to Torquay looking to bounce back from the defeat at Sidmouth which cost them their unbeaten record.
As Torquay have a point to prove following their run-rate defeat at soggy Heathcoat, it could be a lively game.
Bovey skipper Peter Bradley has been going through the scorebook since the Sidmouth defeat and can see a problem.
“I am the only player to score a 50 so far and that has to change,” said Bradley.
“Neil Hancock was looking good during his 35 at Sidmouth last Saturday and he is due a big one soon.”
Torquay skipper Justin Yau is more concerned about the bowling side of the game.
“We are unbeaten at the Recreation Ground and want it to remain that way, but we must go back to basics, concentrate on bowling line and length, apply ourselves when we bat and take our chances when they come,” said Yau.
“We are looking forward to testing ourselves against the top team in the league.
“We hope to bounce back strongly after last weeks performance and there is no reason why we can't pick up a good result.”
With Callum Wilson working and Somerset’s Max Waller unavailable, Yau has sketched out the same team.
North Devon, away to second-placed Bradninch, expect to be unchanged.
“We are gaining in confidence all the time so ready for the challenge,” said North Devon captain Matt Dart.
Bradninch welcome back opener Ross Acton, who was suspended last Saturday when the team won at Budleigh on run rate.
Skipper Gary Chappell is happy with the way things are going, apart from one personal thing.
“I was very happy with last week’s performance, particularly the batting which has been our downfall this season,” said Chappell.
“Our bowling and fielding has been excellent each week. If we can continue to bat well then I am confident we will stay at the top end of the table.
“After the Bovey defeat, I got the reaction I was after from the guys and everyone is just starting to hit their straps.
“Only I haven’t made a contribution with the bat yet, but I am sure that will come soon enough.”
North Devon had a tough first month of the season, which hadn’t gone unnoticed by Chappell, but have shown recent signs of a revival.
“North Devon have hit a bit of form lately and aren’t going to be a pushover,” said Chappell.
“While they’re not the side they were last year, North Devon have still got three excellent players in Rob Gear, Dan Bowser and Glenn Querl and it’s important we keep them quiet!
“Do that and we should record our fifth win.”
Exmouth go to Heathcoat boosted by the return of opener Barney Huxtable.
Skipper Richard Baggs has noted Heathcoat’s win over Torquay and will be treating them accordingly.
“It was a great win for Heathcoat,” said Baggs.
“They have good players in the Smith brothers and the captain, so we know they are dangerous team and we respect that.”
Heathcoat, encouraged by their win over Torquay, have a game plan to beat Exmouth which involves removing run machine David Lye sooner rather than later.
“Exmouth look to have played very good cricket over the past few weeks and appear to have many players in good form with bat and ball,” said skipper Chris Small.
“Exmouth rely heavily on David Lye to bat around and hopefully we can knock him over early and put pressure on the rest of the order.
Former Dorset batter Guy Bucknell isn’t available, but Charlie O’Kelly is and comes in as a swap.