Devon Cricket Board - A Division previews

BRAUNTON, buoyed by their win at Hatherleigh, take on leaders Heathcoat in optimistic mood.

Heathcoat trounced Braunton on the first day of the season, but have lost twice recently and are far from invincible.

Braunton skipper Ian Roberts is respectful, but not overawed.

“I hope we can take the all-round form the boys showed last week into this game and give 100 per cent better performance than we did first time out,” said Roberts.

“Heathcoat are a very good side and we areunder no illusions of the task we have ahead. But every dog has its day - lets hope it's ours!”

There are forced changes from last week Hawkings and Windsor are out.

Mitchell comes back in after injury and new signing Martin Smith plays his first game.

Smith is a returnee to the game after nearly three years out. A bowler, he previously played in the Surrey Championship for Camberley.

PAIGNTON captain Connor Bryan isn’t pulling any punches ahead of the derby clash at Abbotskerwell.

Abbots have already lost once to promotion-chasing Paignton this season and Bryan intends to do the double.

“It is a big game for us as Abbotskerswell away is a tough one,” said Bryan.

“We're back to full strength with George Yates back.

“Everyone in the team looks to be performing well at the moment, especially our bowling attack.

“We are going there with lots of confidence and will definitely be looking to come away with 20 points.”

Abbots have been a bit up and down recently – they beat Heathcoat then lost to Barton – and will be without the hugely experienced Marcus Green for this one.

Skipper Richard Acton knows it will be tough, but isn’t afraid of Paignton either.

“We have a tough game against Paignton, but at home it is a great chance for us to find some form again,” said Acton.

“Paignton are one of the top sides in the division but we pushed them all the way first game of the season so theres no reason why we can't do it again.

“We need to improve our bowling and fielding from the last couple of weeks and bat in partnerships when we get the opportunity.

Green, Birt and French are all away so Chris Robson-Close and Paul and Charlie Mitchell come up from the 2nd XI.

PLYMSTOCK are at home to Barton this weekend and at the halfway point of the season they now know exactly what is needed.

That’s just as well as they are one off the bottom of the table and in danger of drifting into the relegation doldrums if things don’t improve.

“Even though we lost last time out at Sandford we put in a good team performance,” said vice captain James Nicholls.

“We fielded very well and dragged them back very well as at one point we were looking down the barrel of 350.

Batting wise we made a conscious decision to take home full batting points which we did and nine points was a good return for us especially seeing we made up five points on Brixham and Hatherleigh.

“It was nice to see Dan Robotham get a century, he batted very well and was class throughout and to be honest this ton has been a long time coming.”

Barton lost at home to Plymstock earlier in the season but have improved dramatically since them.

“They are a good side and are also in good form, so we need to keep their form players quiet and execute our plans well,” said Nicholls.
Barton promote Andy McVeigh into the 1st XI after he made a century in the 2nd XI last Saturday.
Otherwise it is as you were as skipper Adam Parker looks to improve on his side's current position of fifth.
“We are starting to play some really good cricket and hitting the form that we had last year,” said Parker.
“Moving into the second half of the season we are in a great position and need to concentrate on our game and picking up positives results every week.
“This weekend is another big game and gives us a good opportunity to win a fourth game in a row.”

“Barton are also one of the sides we have beaten this year so we can take confidence from this.

“We need to start winning games instead of going close and there's no better time to start than this Saturday.”

Plymstock make one change as George Barnicott comes in for Mike Blackmore.

“This gives us a three-pronged spin attack, which we believe can be very dangerous in the second part of the season,’ said Nicholls.

BRIXHAM can do their prospects of dodging the drop the power of good when they host Hatherleigh.

The two sides are hovering above Plymstock and Braunton in the drop zone so neither can afford to lose.

Brixham showed they can live with the best by routing Sandford two weeks ago only to slip up at Paignton last time out.

Skipper Richard Ward has Josh Newman and Craig Eaves back in the team, which makes it as strong as he can get it.

Ward knows the significance of the fixture and intends to be positive.

“We have a strong side out and we intend to score heavily,” said Ward.

Hatherleigh are still smarting from their defeat by Braunton. Skipper Richard Lake said a repeat isn’t acceptable.

“We see this as a massive game in our season,” said Lake.

“After last week’s bad performance, we know another one like that and we could find ourselves close to the bottom.”

Nick Rogers, Tom Rogers and Simon Gillespie are all unavailable.

IanCockwil, Rob Fishleigh and Jack Cherrington all come in.

ELSEWHERE in the A Division, second-placed Plympton tangle with Sandford, who are out to nick their place in the table.