- 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
SYDNEYSIDER Chris Small announced his return to Heathcoat after a two-year break in unmistakable fashion by slamming a double century against Plymstock in a 2nd XI game.
Small was with Heathcoat in 2011 and 2012 as their overseas player and made nearly 750 league runs during his stint.
He was 1st XI captain in 2012 before returning home to Bankstown and didn’t come back in 2013 as getting another five months off work was a problem.
Small (right) has now decided to make his home in Devon having met a lady over here during his time with Heathcoat.
Heathcoat offered Small a game in the 2nd XI against Plymstock on Saturday and he repaid them by slamming an unbeaten 207.
Small had a life very early on – he was dropped on two off the bowling of David Grant – and boy did Plymstock pay!
Small smashed nine sixes and 18 fours on his way to the second-highest score ever made in the A Division 2nd XI competition.
Only Budleigh Salterton’s Lloyd White, who made 209 against South Devon in 2010, can claim a better score.
Trailing behind Small are Peter Shephard – 187 not out for Kingsbridge against Abbotskerswell in 2003 – then Andy Hawker of Plymouth CS, who made 152 against Bideford in 1997.
Small and Guy Clatworthy put on 168 for the first wicket. With Clatworthy making 67 and Matt Hodgson 35, Heathcoat totalled 368 for six – one run short of the divisional record set by Torquay 2nd XI against Plymouth in 2002.
Plymstock were bowled out for 142 – new signing Dan Sumner from Tiverton taking five for 14 - and lost the match by 206 runs.
John Smith, the Heathcoat chairman, said was Small’s knock was all the more remarkable as he has not been playing cricket at home.
‘He put away his cricket kit when he left Heathcoat last time and never again played in Australia on his return,”
“He hadn't picked up a bat since leaving Heathcoat at the end of the2013 season.
“I felt for the poor lad who dropped him on two, but after that the innings was faultless and one of those where the batsman never looked like being dismissed.”
Heathcoat would like to be include Small in their 1st XI, however rules are in place to prevent clubs packing their teams with overseas players.
Small does have an ancestral UK visa and Smith plans to contact the league to see if that means he can play in the same side as South African Brad Barnes, who has been engaged for the season.
“Chris was entitled to play as an English-qualified player the first year he was with us, but the following year we were advised he had to be considered an overseas player,” said Smith.
“We are guessing that will be the same again. Sadly that would mean we would not be able to play him in the 1st X1 unless Bradley Barnes is injured or otherwise.
‘”I have been in touch with the league administrator Ed Leverton to ask him to check out the situation.”