- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
LEWDOWN captain Harry Geering says the critics who claim his is a one-man team are way off the mark – as our suggestions the Moorlanders are as good as promoted with seven games to go.
Ivybridge (3rd) and leaders Lewdown have both been criticised for having overseas players who have too much influence over matches.
South African Marco Marais has been doing the business week in and week out for Lewdown this season while Jeewan da Silva has been assisting Ivybridge for the past couple of seasons.
Steve Moore, Barnstaple & Pilton’s captain, suggested recently there was no place for overseas players at all in the B Division or lower.
Lewdown have been top of the table most of the season and are aiming for B Division cricket next term.
Geering said the team can cope with the pressure of being top, although he isn’t complacent about staying there.
“We would love to win the division, but with Chudliegh and Ivybridge fairly close to us and us still to play them both a lot could change,” said Geering.
“I'm very happy with how we are starting to play as a lot of the first half games we won were by grinding out results rather than playing to our best.
“This week we have alphington, who feel we still have a bit to prove after we beat them by more 100 runs earlier - with Marco getting a duck and no wickets. wickets against them last time.
“We are just going to take it game by game, and hope the form continues.”
Marais has scored 789 league runs this season, comfortably more than next best da Silva (587).
Geering accepts Marais is influential, but sees no problem with that and points to other players in the side performing as well.
“We have been very fortunate with our recent overseas players in Rob Mutch, Kyle Abbott and now with Marco Marais,” said Geering,
“Having some one as classy as Marco here makes our standards better, as well as improving the youngsters he helps coach.
“We are not worried about copping any flack as long as we stay near the top.
“It does make me laugh the teams with poor overseas commenting on others.
“If your are going to get one just as well get a good one, which we have.
“I believe last week we had more people get there names in the paper for runs and wickets than any side in the leagues, which was nice.
“Other teams will forget that though.”
Alphington skipper Stuart Shaw made no reference to Marais in his pre-match comments, although he complimented them on their form so far.
“Lewdon will be a tough test this week and we will need to be at our best to make sure we contain them in all areas of the game.
“They are obviously progressing into a good side and deserve to be top of the table.”
Alphington are fresh from beating Stoke Gabriel, a result they badly needed after a run of defeats.
“It was important we played well last week and performed in all departments,” said Shaw.
“As long as we take our chances and give 100 per cent we will have a good chance each week we go out and play in this division.”