Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division -Hancock centre of attention

SIDMOUTH and Bovey Tracey meet on the Fortfield where Neil Hancock is bound to be the centre of attention.
Hancock has had two lengthy spells as professional at Sidmouth and been a key member of three Premier Division winning sides.
The former Devon captain left for pastures new during the winter – and pastures closer to his Newton Abbot home – and Bovey are already seeing the benefit.
Four games into the season Bovey are top of the table 16 points clear of second-placed Bradninch and the only hundred percenters left in the division.
Bovey captain Peter Bradley accepts all eyes will be on Hancock, but doubts it will affect the ice-cool Australian unduly.
“Neil’s successful history with Sidmouth is well known, but he is fully committed to us now and enjoying his cricket,” said Bradley.
“He is never needs motivating for any game, but for this one he might just have another 10 per cent in him.”
Opposite number Will Murray said he is looking forward to seeing Hancock, but not for too long.
“I hope we get him out before he gets to many,” said Murray.
As for Hancock, he is keen to get reacquainted with the wicket at Sidmouth.
“It is a wicket I have done well on in the past and as I am due a few runs it will be good batting there,” said Hancock.
Team news from the Sidmouth camp is that Somerset’s Adam Dibble comes in and batter Anthony Griffiths drops out into the 2nd XI.
Bovey bring in seamer Matt Kidd and 16-year-old all-rounder Sam Wyatt-Haines.
NOT much to report from either camp ahead of the game between Exmouth and Sidmouth on the Maer.
Sandford welcome Chris Blake back in as keeper. Mike Durrand makes way and plays for the 2nd XI.
Rhys Davies replaces Barney Huxtable in the only change to the Exmouth side.
BUDLEIGH Salterton skipper Joel Murphy believes getting the bes
t out of his batters is the key to climbing the table.
Budleigh – one place and six points clear of the drop zone – are at home to Bradninch tomorrow.
One win in four starts tells its own story and Murphy things the subtext is lack of runs.
“We are doing most things well in patches – we could do with getting all three elements right in the same game – but the big thing is not kicking on when we bat,” said Murphy.
“What needs to happen is players getting to 50-60 need to turn them into 90s and hundreds. We just aren’t doing that.
“What we also need to stop doing is losing wickets in groups. When we lose one, we tend to lose two or three.
“Fifty over cricket is all about scoring runs, but we aren’t giving ourselves the best chance by failing to bat our overs.”
Bradninch skipper Gary Chappell is looking for a bounceback win against Budleigh after losing to Bovey Tracey.
With recent history favouring Budleigh in this fixture, Chappell believes a win is long overdue.
On current form – and man for man – Chappell things Bradninch can take the spoils.
“We have had excellent games against Budleigh in the last two seasons where they’ve pipped us at the post, so we'll be looking to put that right,” said Chappell.
“Budleigh are a strange team, and very unpredictable.
“Some days they can beat anyone in the league, but othersthey get rolled over easily.
With players such as Burke, Morris and Dawson they have match winners, but are heavily reliant on a few players. Hopefully we can expose that and get back to winning ways.”
Look back at the Bovey defeat, Chappell added: “We bowled and fielded superbly -and have done all season - and I am overjoyed with that aspect of our game.
“But we let ourselves down with that bat and Bovey capitalised.
“Once our batting clicks we are going to be a tough side to beat.
“I am backing the boys to get it right and start turning 20s and 30s into 60s and 70s.

BEN Stein has been quickly restored to Plymouth;s starting line up for the trip to North Devon.
Stein was left out last Saturday and showed his displeasure by hitting 182 against Exmouth 2nd XI.
He responded just as I knew he would,” said Plymout skipper Callum Whittaker.
“He is a quality young player with a great attitude.”
Stein replaces spinner James Nichols. Pasi Mawalage is free from school commitments and comes in for Jordan Hancock.
Plymouth have coughed and spluttered through the first month of the season, but go to Instow in a positive frame of mind.
“In my opinion we have played the three best teams in the competition and beaten one of them,” said Whittaker.
“The Torquay game was a write off so all in all I am happy with our progress so far!.
“A bit of luck here and there and we could be right up there!
We are almost at full strength now so hopefully we can push on over the next three games (N Devon, Heathcoat and Sandford) and bag a few wins!
Defending champions North Devon got off the mark last Saturday by beating Heathcoat and are looking for more of the same.
“We are full of confidence and ready to have a go at Plymouth, said skipper Matt Dart.
“They have been our bogy side over the last few years so we are looking to put than behind us and secure another positive result.
Richard Screech is out, as is Jason Hayes, who is getting married.
In come Tom Ansell, who will add strength to the top order, and veteran all-rounder Warren Miller.

TORQUAY will be disappointed not to add Heathcoat to their collection of scalps when the two sides meet at Knightshayes.
While Heatchoat are propping up the table, Torquay are three from four and third behind Bovey and Bradninch after beating Sidmouth last time out.
It has been a brilliant start to the season and no one expected us to upset Sidmouth,” said Torquay skipper Justin Yau.
“We played well but there is more to come still which is very positive.
“ Everyone is contributing along the way and the team ethic is as strong as ever.
“Heathcoat will be an extremely difficult game as we find it a very hard place to get a result and they have absolute quality in the Smith brothers.
“There will be no complacency whatsoever and we know they will be up for a scrappy game so we must stay focused and fight for every point.
“We are still looking to chalk up seven games for the season which should keep us safe.
“It remains our main target and the rest is a bonus. Two poor results and we could be back in the mire.
Heathcoat captain Chris Small remains upbeat, saying: “ I am Hoping to get off the mark this weekend.

“We will be at just about full strength with guys who were previously unavailable due to university and school available this weekend.”