Devon Cricket Board - Rain-off end of the line for Paignton

Rain-off end of the line for Paignton

PAIGNTON’S relegation fate was sealed when they were rained off at Plympton.
Losing to Heathcoat seven days earlier had effectively cooked Paignton’s goose, although they had a mathematical chance if Plymouth messed up badly against Exmouth and they won at Plympton.
Plymouth won anyway, so the Plympton result was academic.
The two sides came up together and are going down together, which says something about the jump in standards between Premier and A Divisions.
Yo-yoing backwards and forwards is nothing new, just ask Heathcoat, Cornwood and Sandford, who have been up and down the same route in the past few seasons.
In a division where most clubs have an overseas player and some have match-day professionals too, Paignton were at a disadvantage from the start.
South African Tyler Sylvester played in the opening game against Bovey Tracey and was never seen again!
An injury was blamed for Sylvester flying home, although homesickness was probably the reason.
Whatever the truth was, Paignton were handicapped by losing Sylvester. And mid-way through the season bowling all-rounder George Benton departed on an 18-month jaunt to Australia.
Devon wanted Benton to play when he departed, which only underlines how significant a player he was for Paignton.
Individually, players like Dan Wolf (370 runs), Rob Shergold (295 runs, 15 wkts), George Yates (21 wkts), and Ollie Higgs (273 runs) have had decent seasons.
The challenge for skipper Connor Bryan is how to keep the side together as some of his players are on the radar of Premier clubs, no doubt including Brixham who will be replacing them next season.
Looking back on the season, Bryan said losing Sylvester was a ‘massive’ blow.
“We lost four or five games by 20 or so runs and I believe an overseas would have helped us get over the line in two or three of them,” said Bryan.
“However, let's not take away from the fact that the boys have competed in near enough every game this year and have shown they are able to play at this level.
“For some of the lads it was their first year in the Premier and I wouldn't say anyone looked out of place.
“We have several players I am sure people will be trying to tap up, but those lads know what Paignton CC is about and what we are trying to achieve.
“I have every confidence in us keeping all of our players and us bouncing back next year.”
Paignton are at home to North Devon this Saturday.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773