Devon Cricket Board - Orchard on the move

Orchard on the move

DEVON fast bowler Mark Orchard is on his way back to Brixham next season after helping Exmouth win the Premier Division title last summer.
Orchard – Brixham through and through and a former captain at Boundary Park – wanted to test himself at Premier level and Exmouth were keen to give him the chance.
Injuries did Orchard no favours and cost him his place in the Devon side during the season.
And while 13 Premier wickets was a modest return for Orchard, he showed his all-round ability by making it into the divisional batting top ten with an average of 45.50.
Dropping back to the A Division after a season may seem a backward step, but Orchard has his reasons.
“I loved Exmouth but hated travelling to every game,” said Orchard.
“I had a couple of clubs after me, but I won’t say who as it wouldn’t be fair.
“I spoke to Wes Fowler, the club captain at Brixham, who sold me on some ambitious plans I and agreed to go back. It wasn’t an easy decision though.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better season at Exmouth and have the utmost respect for skipper Richard Baggs and the boys, who helped me massively last year.”
TORQUAY are resigned to losing at least two players from their last season’s squad as spinner Dan Wightman and batter Des Kruger have moved on.
Kiwi Wightman – he has played for Central Districts – circulated his details through an agent at the end of last season and is believed to have signed for a club in Hertfordshire for 2014.
Kruger, a South African, is currently playing rugby in north Somerset for Frome and has indicated he will be playing elsewhere next season, possibly for Illminster.
Torquay may Devon batsman Matt Thompson during the first half of the season as he could be claimed by work commitments on Saturday afternoons.
However, former captain Justin Yau may feature more regularly in 2014 as he has a new job in Bristol, having left his previous one in London.
ABBOTSKERSWELL have signed a spin-bowling all-rounder who is already catching the eye on the indoor circuit.
Simon Bowman has moved to South Devon from the Midlands where he played Premier Three cricket in the Birmingham League for Worcester Nomads last season.
“Steve looks a promising signing and will be a good addition to our young squad with bat and ball, hopefully,” said Abbots’ skipper Richard Acton.

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