Devon Cricket Board - Premier - League hand Ayres two-match ban

BOVEY Tracey are going to be without keeper-batter Ben Ayres for the next two matches while he sits out a suspension.

Ayres was reported by the umpires for slamming his bat into the ground after being given out lbw in the game against Exeter last month.

Although Bovey captain Peter Bradley felt there were mitigating circumstances, the league’s discipline chiefs felt otherwise and handed out a two -week suspension.

Ayres will miss the game against Torquay tomorrow and the fixture against Torquay. He will be back for the match against Exmouth on August 17.

Additionally, Bovey Tracey have been hit with a two-point penalty, which means Exmouth have gone ahead of them into the Premier Division top spot.

Bradley said he and Ayres’ team-mates were unhappy about the ban as it seemed out of proportion to the nature of the offence.

“Ben had been batting really doggedly as Exeter had run through our top order, which isn’t really his natural game,” said Bradley.

“Having seen off the worst of it he got a ball that pitched and rolled and hit him on the foot. He stood no chance.

“Ben knew he was out – that wasn’t what he was unhappy about – but was frustrated by getting a ball which didn’t bounce and whacked the pitch on the way off.

“He knows he should not have done it and has since written to the Exeter groundsman apologising.

“We are disappointed this episode has been treated as dissent, when in no way was he complaining about the decision.

“There is the option of appealing against the decision, but that will cost Ben £100 with no guarantee of winning.

“He will miss Budleigh and Torquay, which is less serious than not being around for the games against Exmouth and Sidmouth, which he could miss if an appeal dragged on.”

TORQUAY will be hoping the weather doesn’t ruin the game against Bovey in the same way it affected their meeting with Plymouth.

Torquay had to bowl and field in what they felt were treacherous conditions that played into Plymouth’s hands.

Vice-captain Matt Thompson said league bosses should consider adopting the Duckworth Lewis Method for settling rain-affected games, rather than the outdated run-rate formula currently in use.

A result can be determined in run-rate once 20 overs of the second innings have been bowled, which critics say is nothing more than a sloggers’ charter.

“Bad as the conditions were, by the time 20 overs had elapsed in the second innings we had no choice but to keep going in the adverse conditions knowing full well that if we went off Plymouth would coast by on run rate,” said Torquay’s vice-captain Matt Thompson.

“There are absolutely no rewards for bowling sides in these situations.

“For example, we took three quick wickets for which would have massively affected the DL target.

“Plymouth chased them down with plenty of wickets left, but had we sneaked another they would have been behind the rate.

“It's just not a fair contest at the moment when it rains as the team batting second basically can be nine wickets down but up with the innings rate and still win the game.”

Batter Justin Yau and all-rounder Joe Thompson return to the Torquay line-up.

BRADNINCH entertain Cornwood in a basement battle which neither can afford to lose

Cornwood are currently in the bottom two, but Bradninch are only three points ahead of them.

Bradninch skipper Tim Piper is confident of sending Cornwood home empty handed.

We have better players than Cornwood and more experience than them,” said Piper.

“I can’t remember the last time Cornwood played at Bradninch, so playing at home also gives us a big advantage.

“We let our foot off the pedal last time we played them and they got much closer to our total than they should have done.

“That sort of complacency won't be seen second time around. We are scrapping hard as a team at the moment.

“As long as we give a strong performance then we will win the game.”

Matt Jarrett is available and comes back in for Matt Vercoe-Curtis.”

THE last time Plymouth played Budleigh Salterton three records fell in the same game – one of them twice!

James Burke broke the Premier batting record with a score of 196 in Budleigh’s total of 369 – also a record – which Plymouth broke chasing it down thanks to tons from James Toms and Jake Luffman.

It is hard to see that happening again, but you never now.

Budleigh are scrapping for survival, while Plymouth could do with a win just to ensure a carefree final month of the season.

“Time is running out quickly for Budleigh so they will be fighting for every point,” said Plymouth skipper Matt Hooper.

“We know what they are capable of so we will look to get on top early in the game and then not give them an inch.”

Hooper is tipping his batters to win the contest again, even though one of two of them have been out of touch in recent weeks.

“A few of our batters haven't been getting the scores they would have liked recently so they will be hungry for runs,” said Hooper.

“Jake Luffman is our only change from the team last week, George Stephenson misses out.

“Jake is on for his best season ever so I am hoping for another big score from him.

“Ben Stein is in good touch as well so I predict a hundred from him before the end of the season.

“Henry Bennett batted brilliantly Saturday so I want to see the same again from him, he played himself in and then obliterated anything loose - when he hits it, it stays hit and it goes a long way!

“It is a sign of how well the top three have played this year that I expect one of Callum Whittaker, James Toms and Marnus Labuschagne to also get a hundred Saturday.”

Budleigh welcome back Burke, who was on holiday in Belgium last Saturady and missed the derby clash with Exmouth.

The odds seem stacked against Budleigh dodging the drop – they are 24 points adrift with 100 to play for – but skipper Joel Murphy hasn’t given in yet.

“Our players are good enough to win some games and it only needs one for us to start edging towards safety,” said Murphy.

“It is still possible for us to stay in this division, we just have to believe we can.”

EXETER are looking to take Exmouth down on the Maer Ground as they chase their own dream for the season.

Staying up was the priority first season back for last season’s A Division champions. Having made sure of that there is a new target to go for.

“We have had a great season so far and with the young team we have built it would be a fantastic achievement to finish in the top three,” said skipper Rob Holman.

“Having beaten Bovey (2nd) and Sidmouth (3rd) we know we are capable of competing with the top teams.

“To finish in the top three realistically means we have to beat either Exmouth this week or Sidmouth next week – and all of our final three games!

“It won’t be easy, but this side seems to rise to challenges.”

Exeter are still without pace Ollie Sale, while Exmouth are waiting on Mark Orchard’s fitness before naming a side.

SIDMOUTH take on form side North Devon well aware a defeat could be terminal to their own chances of retaining the title won last year.

North Devon haven’t lost for eight games – and have not looked like losing either as they have done from basement battlers to fourth in the table.

“As North Devon have shown by doing it over the last two months, they really can beat anyone on their day,” said Sidmouth skipper Will Murray.

“If there is a stronger all-round side in the division right now, I don’t know who it is?

“When they can put out both Overton twins, Tom Allin and Glenn Querl that is a strong side.

“Not only do they have a direct impact on the game, they also help to bring out the best in the players around them and everyone’s performance goes up a notch.”

Team news from the Sidmouth camp is Murray has gone for an extra seamer in Will Gater and left out spinner Dominic Bess.

North Devon will be without South African U19 star Jason Smith, who has returned home on international duty.