Devon Cricket Board - A Division - top two clash at Cricketfield Road

TWO sides with promotion aspirations meet at Cricketfield Road, where Barton entertain Budleigh Salterton.
Budleigh were top of the table until last Saturday when they were rained off against Hatherleigh.
Barton went to Brixham and won, which propelled them into top spot and dropped Budleigh down to second.
Barton look like being unchanged, which means they will be without former Devon keeper-batter Andy Hele for the second game running.
Skipper Adam Parker is too canny to get carried away by being top after four games and knows Budleigh will be a huge challenge.
“Budleigh will be a tough test for us, but one we are ready for and looking to build on a good start to the year,” said Parker.
“We still have some key players who haven't kicked their season off yet, so fingers crossed this weekend is the weekend where everyone finds their form.”
It goes without saying opposite number Joel Murphy expects a tough game as well – and he isn’t just saying that.
“We are at full strength going to Barton and will need to be if we want to win,” said Murphy.
“Last year we went over there in the Devon Cup as a Premier side and lost so when I say it is a tough place to win at it isn’t just a platitude.”
PAIGNTON’S batting line-up is strengthened for the visit of Lewdown by the inclusion of Mickey Cousens.
Cousens hasn’t been available often since joining at the start of the season as he has had commitments at Exeter University.
Lewdown are visiting Queens Park for the first time and Paignton skipper Conor Bryan doesn’t want to make it too happy an experience.
“This game is one we feel we are capable of winning but are still aware that we will need to perform,” said Bryan
“We have been unlucky with a couple games being abandoned due to weather.
“However, We are not looking to far infront of ourselves as we believe it's a division where upsets can happen.
“Therefore we are focusing on each game individually and giving it our all.”
Lewdown captain Harry Geering has a healthy respect for Paignton but remains confident n his own side’s ability as well.
“Paignton and Budleigh seem to look the likely promotion pushers at the moment,” said Geering.
“I am hoping we carry on where we left off last week when we were 225 for three off 38 overs before the rain came in.”
Gary Sizmur is getting married,and Charlie Hughes has retired from first team cricket due to a combination of factors.
“Age and I am buying a pub in a few weeks time so won’t be available anyway,” said Hughes, who has been a one club man for 35 years..
Lewdown are waiting on Phil Yeo, but have Ben Williams back from university to open the bowling and recall young spinner Leon Horn.
ABBOTSKERSWELL hope their winning streak continues when they entertain Chudleigh.
Abbots got home by two wickets against Bradninch last time out and see bottom side Chudleigh as a target.
“Having won our first game last week the team is on a high,” said skipper Dickie Acton.
“This Saturday, against Chudleigh, provides a great opportunity to make it two in a row.”
Steve Bowman and Garath Penrice are unavailable so Marcus Green and new boy Callum Stanley, who has just completed his transfer from Paignton, come in.
Chudleigh bring in Will Heather as an extra bowling option.
BRIXHAM make three changes to the side for the trip to Bradninch.
Batter Andy Lewin comes in for John Lambswod and Phil Hyde replaces Lee Upham.
Simon Caunter covers for the unavailable Gary Spencer.
Bradninch show three changes from the team that lost at Abbotskerswell last time out.
James Street has been lured out of retirement to bolster the batting – and with Chris Acton back there is more depth down the order.
Connor Carthew is the third change to the side. His 97 in a 2^nd XI game earns him a call-up.
CRAIG Donohue finds himself in charge of Plympton 1^st XI for the home game against Hatherleigh.
Skipper James Carr is one of three players missing – Ross Farrer and Dan Hussey are the other two – so Donohue takes control.
In come Andy Walter, Dan Robotham and Owen Gannon.
Carr, who is attending a wedding, said Plympton aren’t firing on more than a couple of cylinders and need to get revved up before the season passes them by.
Last Saturday’s rain-halted game against Lewdown was an example, according to Carr, of what Plympton aren’t getting right.
Said Carr: “We were rubbish in the field, terrible! We dropped five catches and didn’t back-up the bowlers who bowled well, although it wouldn’t look like they did looking at the scorebook, but they did.
“I think Lewdown’s regular opener forgot his kit so they chucked up Jack Williams and he chanced his arm, he played some cracking shots but also was very lucky and dropped numerous times.
“Fair play to him though, he went for it and it came off.
“Marco Marais was different class. Our bowlers bowled their lines, yorkers, slower balls and he just moved around and smashed it, but played proper shots.
“With 10 overs to go we fancied keeping them down to 275, which we would have been happy with as it looked like they were going to get 325-plus.
“We would have fancied our chances as the track was fine and there was a short boundary, so you never know.
“We need to get ourselves going as with two rained off and a loss in the last three weeks we haven’t really got started!”
Hatherleigh have yet to win a game – two rain-offs not helping their cause – but see Plympton as a place they can do the business.
“I see this as a game we have a real chance of winning but going away to Plympton we know will be tough as they are a good, competitive side,” said Lake.
“After a few more positvives against Brixham two weekends ago, we feel we can push on again and get our first victory of the season.
“But we need to improve again – especially with the bat – if we are going to compete in the A this season.”
Hatherleigh make three changes, all due to players being unavailable. Out are Gareth Tidball, Simon Gillespie and Rob Fishleigh.
In come Charlie Nielson, Sean Letheren and Robert Cockwill.