Devon Cricket Board - B Division - Dowling in no mood for favours

B Division - Dowling in no mood for favours

STOKE Gabriel skipper Josh Dowling returns to former club Chudleigh looking to slow his old mates’ charge towards the A Division.

It is nothing personal but Stoke need the points to keep moving away from the wrong end of the table.

Although Stoke won at lowly South Devon last time out, they didn’t play that well. And it is so tight at the bottom that win only lifted them nine points clear of the bottom two.

Dowling said the troops have to step up a gear or two if they want to come away with the points.

“I wasn’t overly pleased with our performance at South Devon, however I will take the 20 points,” said Dowling.

“Apart from Steve Tolley (93) the rest of us wasted good batting conditions.

“Our bowling and fielding must also improve against Chudleigh.

“After losing our first three games to be in mid-table is a great position for us.

“We have worked hard for each other and on our day feel we can beat anyone.

“I think we are undefeated in the past month and will look too keep that going for the rest of the year.”

Promotion is the aim for skipper Jon Martin, who feels his side are in the right place.

“We are in a strong position at half way – and my side is only going to get stronger and more consistent in selection as the season goes on,” said Martin.

The win over Barnstaple – by two runs in a nail-bitting last over helped convince Martin his team possess the attributes of promotion winners.

“It was a good result against a very competitive team,” said skipper Martin.

“Both sides were on top at times, but we managed to hold them in the last over when they looked favourites.”

South Devon start all over again this Saturday when they go to Thorverton.

The side looks hard hit by selection problems and among the absentees is skipper Jonty Parsons, whose form with the bat in particular has been one of the few bright spots at the club this summer.

Also missing is reliable bowler Richard Beaumont.

Thorverton, at home to South Devon, are looking to build on their win over Alphington.

“We are looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this year and build up some momentum for the second half of the season,” said vice-captain Dave Baldock.

All-rounder Will Denford and bowler Gilliam Crouch return to the side.

Tavistock head for Barnstaple & Pilton well aware the Taw Meadow side can be a handful despite their lowly position.

“Barnstaple took Chudleigh to the ropes last week so they will be tough,’ said Tavvy captain Shaun Daymond.

“We need to be positive and take on the spirit of last week, when we ground out a win over Shobrooke Park.

Dave Manning is back early in the order, as is Chris Hutchins.

Missing are key batsmen Tim pope and Jamie Stephens, who is unable to travel.”

Leaders Lewdown, 11 points clear of Tavvy at the top, are away to mid-table Shobrooke Park.

“At the half way mark we are in a good position and hope to stay there,” said skipper Harry Geering.

“Shobrookr have found some good form this season and we know we will have to play well and to our best.”

Gary Sizmur is back and in for Jack Williams (college cricket) other than that unchanged from last week’s side which thumped Ivybridge.

Ivybridge, who were on the wrong end of a rapid to from Mario Marais against Lewdown, get back to business against Alphington.

“Not too worried about last week's defeat as there's no shame in losing to an innings like that,” said skipper Gareth Andrews.

Ivybridge will be at full strength for the first time this season, which Andrews thinks is just as well.

“We thought Alphington were a good side when we played them first up this season so expecting a close game,” he said.

Out go bowlers Adam Birch and Paul Veale. In come all-rounder Josh Zimmerman and batter Charlie Horwood.

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