- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
SOUTH Devon boast the youngest skipper in the club’s history for the season ahead, which looks to be every bit as challenging as the last one.
The Newton Abbot side were relegated from the A Division last season without winning a game. A couple of draws was as good as it got.
Adrian Hewings stood down immediately the season ended and it took a while to find a replacement with more than one false start.
With time running out South Devon were delighted when Jonty Parsons stepped into the breech.
Parsons, 19, is the youngest skipper the 1st XI has had in its 163-year history. Previously, Mark Andrews held the distinction back in the mid-1990s when he was 22.
South Devon struggled last year due to player availability or, more accurately, lack of ability.
Hewings’ never put out the same side twice and all too often had to make four or five changes of personnel.
The one thing Parsons is hoping for is improved commitment from the players, and the signs are encouraging.
“More players are available for more games this year – and some we barely saw at all last season are going to be around a lot more,” said Parsons, who is on a gap year before going to university.
“Henry Burningham and Dan Ball have said they can play almost every game, which is a bi help.
“We also have a couple of new signings in Aron Owen and Shaun Taylor, who has come back to us from Kingsbridge.”
South Devon have also signed former Torquay, Paignton, Cockington and Sandford off-spinner Stuart Lott, although at 67 is role is likely to be assisting in the 2nd XI.
For the first time since 1993 South Devon don’t have an overseas player on board, having chosen not to replace Hammad ul-Hassan, who assisted the last season. He was he leading run scorer and wicket-taker in 2012.
Tom Carter, an English-qualified Kiwi who has played for South Devon in 2011 and 2012, isn’t planning to return either.
The season starts this Saturday with a home game against Thorverton.