Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division: Piper confident of third victory

Premier Division: Piper confident of third victory

BRADNINCH are going for three wins on the spin when they entertain Exeter.
Wins over Cornwood and North Devon continued the momentum generated by a big victory at Budleigh in May, lifting Bradninch into the relative calm of mid-table.
Bradninch looked in some disarray pre-season due to player departures – and a warm-up hammering at Exmouth didn’t help the image.
Skipper Tim Piper was always upbeat then and results appear to be proving him right.
“We are expecting a harder match than the last two weeks, but with potentially the strongest team we will have put out so far this season, are certainly up for the challenge.
“I think we have a great chance to make it three wins on the bounce and leapfrog Exeter into the top half of the table – a position that not many people in Devon cricket thought we had a chance of getting near.
“We are enjoying proving them wrong.”
Piper said he was slightly surprised Exeter defeated Sidmouth, but if his side maintain their standards they should have little to fear.
“Looking at Exeter’s team last week, they shouldn't have beaten Sidmouth,” said Piper.
“I presume they will have players coming back who will make them stronger. Holman is one that we rate very highly.
“Exeter have a similar amount of bowling bonus points to batting, but I think they are predominantly a batting side with a quite inexperienced bowling attack.
“We had a good team performance last week against North Devon, which led to us winning fairly comfortably.
“If we can achieve a similar standard this week, I will be more than happy.
“Fielding standards were improved but nowhere near good enough still. I will be looking for more again this week.”
Exeter’s acting captain Tom Viljoen – standing in for the injured Jon Tipper – is determined not to get carried away by beating Sidmouth.
“It is important to keep standards high and play what is in front of you,” said Viljoen.
“We try not to get too carried away when we loose badly, and the same goes for when one wins well.
“Ours is a very young team, all still learning.
“We have to understand that, on any given Saturday, you only try and control the controllable.
“Bradninch are good side, with some destructive batsmen, but we will look to be positive, and stick to our plans, which will hopefully lead to a bit of a run of form.”
Opener Andrew Curtis is not available so Mike Wilkinson comes up from the 2nd XI.
Miles Lenygon returns and Alex Bosomworth is recalled after runs on Saturday and Sunday in the 2nd XI.

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