Devon Cricket Board - B Division - Smith out for season + Orchard blow for Plymstock

B Division - Smith out for season + Orchard blow for Plymstock

SOUTH Devon, at home to Abbotskerswell tomorrow, look like being without all-rounder Mike Smith for the rest of the season.
Smith has been struggling with knee trouble for a while and turned up on crutches at Wednesday night training.
“That’s a big blow,” said skipper Jon Martin, who is hoping to win for the first time in three starts.
Batters Paul Hooper and James Hart, who is also a spin-bowling option, are back in the team tomorrow.
PLYMSTOCK are going to be without five-wicket hero Dave Orchard for the derby date with Ivybridge.
Orchard took five for 30 in the win over Thorverton last time out.
Orchard (work) Dave Petherbridge (injured) and seam bowler Ayed Ali (injured) all unavailable.
After good performances 15-year-old sean bowler Robbie Cunningham comes up for his debut and Morgan Parkinson returns from a stint in the 2nd XI.
“Hopefully we can continue our winning run against a good, all-round ivybridge team that in recent league meetings we have always struggled to compete with,” said Plymstock skipper Scott Mansfield.
Ivybridge welcome back all-rounder Adam Huxtable, who left for Dartington & Totnes pre-season and has been taking wickets and scoring runs for them.
Josh Zimmerman, Andy Johnson and Josh Coker are straight back in having missed the win over South Devon.
Medium-pacer Jimmy Bullock on holiday. Dave Eadie keeps his place after last week’s performance.
IPPLEPEN will be looking to bounce back from their defeat by Chudleigh when they go to winless Thorverton.
Marcus Green comes in for Adam Peters who drops down to skipper the 2nd Xi as Simon Tapley is injured.
Seamer Paul Thomas is back for Jack Wylie who has exams.
Skipper Keith Wakeham isn’t panicking over one defeat, but said: “We need to work harder to value our wickets and provide a foundation up front, and bowl straighter to create some pressure on their batters.”
Thorverton have George Greed and Jake Choules available again and back in, which will strengthen batting and bowling.
Skipper Graham White has a stiff back so will have to sit this one out and David Baldock will lead the side.
“Obviously we’re due a win,” said White.
“Our side this year is not weaker than this time last year when we were at the top of the table.
“We just have to work hard and get some results.”
Thorverton play away at Cornish side South Petherwin in the third round of the National Village Cup on Sunday.
SHOBROOKE skipper Chris Simpson is looking for a rare home win against Braunton.
Simpson has every reason to be confident after the eight-wicket win at Abbotskerswell.
Shobrooke haven’t won at home this season and only won two there in 2014.
“ Let’s get a win at home and break the home ground hoodoo,” said Simpson.
“Braunton have had a good start so where expecting a tough one.”
Veteran bowler Pete Turner has an injury, so Phil Anning comes for him.
Iain Bond is unavailable for Braunton so Martin Smith comes back in.
Skipper Jon Baglow said Shobrooke’s win over Abbots last time out confirmed his view there are no easy games this year.
“The league is going to be so tight every game is a tough one,” said Baglow.
CHUDLEIGH skipper Ed Foreman says his top-of-the-table side can’t afford to underestimate cellar dwellers Axminster.
Chudleigh are unbeaten at the top while Axminster are winless at the bottom.
“I am looking for another strong performance from the boys,” said Foreman.
“Everything is there we just need to put it all together to really hit our top form.
“We have been improving week in week and our best is yet to come.
“Axminster have had a couple of close calls this year and we know they pose a threat.
“We will have to fully turn up to get anything out of the game.”
Will Heather back from holiday and spinner Jack Vittles is free from work commitments.

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