Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division: Baggs predicts last-day finish to title chase

Premier Division: Baggs predicts last-day finish to title chase

EXMOUTH captain Richard Baggs has predicted a scramble right to the end for his season’s Premier Division title.
Baggs takes Exmouth to leaders Bovey Tracey tomorrow with his side in second place just three points in arrears.
Sidmouth are a further four points behind in third as the title race shapes up to be a repeat of last year’s skirmish when the same three clubs fought it out all the way to the wire.
It finished Sidmouth, Bovey, Exmouth last season with only eight points between them.
Bovey actually won more games than the teams above them, but were a long way short on batting bonus points and that cost them the title.
With the halfway stage of the season approaching, Baggs has weighed up the Premier Division and come to the conclusion it is going to be tight again.
‘Last season we all knew before the last game that Sidmouth were going to win it, even though we had to play them in the final match,’ said Baggs.
‘This season I really can see it going down to the final game – and whoever wins it will lose four or five games.
‘The Premier Division is more open than it has been for a while as you can’t say there are any really bad sides in it.
‘There isn’t a team in the Premier Division that can’t do a job on one of the others.
‘Take Exeter beating Sidmouth last Saturday as an example. The unbeaten champions against a side that had only won two games. How did that happen?
‘Bradninch looked to be in a mess at the start of the season, but they don’t look in any trouble, which isn’t what a lot if people were expecting.
‘Plymouth are making big scores and winning games, then you have got Budleigh who are capable of big scores and aren’t winning at all.
‘How a side with Bob Dawson and James Burke in it can be in the bottom two is a reflection how strong our division is.
‘They you have got North Devon, who have only won once so far and are bottom.
‘You look at North Devon’s batting – Huxtable, Bowser, Querl, Rob Gear, Smith, Jas Kalsi – and you see a total of 280-290 most weeks.
‘It is only a matter of time before North Devon start to fire, and when they are on form no one is going to fancy playing them.’
Exmouth’s batting is seen as their strength, but Baggs said that is cruel on the bowlers, who have been doing their bit to set up wins.
Spinner Gary Chappell has been skittling side for fun since switching from Bradninch in the close season, but Baggs wants to share the credit around.
‘We were without Trevor Anning for a couple of games and it was only then your realise what he brings to the team,’ said Baggs.
‘Trevor gives you 10 overs of total control over the batsmen – and when you get to the end of his spell he generally has two or three wickets as well.
‘Mark Orchard wanted to try the Premier Division, so he has stepped up from playing at Brixham last year.
‘I have been impressed by the way he has bowled and can see him taking a lot of wickets for us in future.’

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