- 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
ALPHINGTON skipper Stuart Shaw has targeted promotion as the number one priority this season as the club contemplates the briefest stay possible in the C Division.
The Alphas were relegated from the B Division last season alongside winless South Devon, having waged an unsuccessful battle to get ahead Stoke Gabriel to dodge the drop.
Alphington haven’t operated as low as the C Division since their early days in the Devon League – and last time round they didn’t linger long.
After switching from the old East Devon League in 1991 and taking two years to get out of the D Division, Alphington were promoted at the first attempt from the C Division in 1993 as runners-up to the now-defunct United Services club.
If Shaw (left) has his way this latest stay in the C Division will be just as brief.
“We must go straight back as we have no wish to stay in the C Division,” said Shaw.
“The players we have more than posses the potential to get us up and keep stay up.
“And with the youngsters coming through from the colts, we could be looking at an exciting couple of years ahead.”
One of the youngsters Shaw highlighted was Jack Mills, the son of former 1st XI skipper Andy Mills, who has come up through the youth ranks. Father and son are pictured below.
“Jack scored more than 200 runs in the 2nd XI last season – and he bowls a bit as well,” said Shaw.
“He is one of the youngsters I would like to see in the 1st XI this summer.”
Last season’s leading run getter Dinesh Rajeja won’t be on board this season despite topping the 500-run mark and taking 18 wickets.
The two parties have gone their separate ways by mutual consent with Rajeja thought to be on the target list of a couple of A and B Division clubs.
Most of last season’s squad remain in place, with one or two additions.
Mike Shepherd, who made 315 runs in just four appearances, is set to play more often having settled down in Exeter after his house move from Dorset.
“Mike is going to play regularly and help with the colts coaching,” said Shaw.
Batsman Tom Baxter is home from active service in Afghanistan and should play a full season.
The season starts on May 3 with a visit to Chagford, one of many trips into the unknown for Alphington this summer.
“Apart from South Devon who came down with us, we hardly know anyone in this division,” said Shaw.
“We don’t know who to look out for, although some of the clubs have players you know by reputation.
“Our second game is at home to South Devon and that will be interesting now they have Neil Hancock on board.
“It is a big step down for Hancock from the Premier Division last year with Bovey Tracey and a lot of people will be curious to see what difference he makes to South Devon.”
