- 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
ABBOTSKERSWELL are looking to recruit a paid player-coach next season in a shift of focus at Two Mile Oak.
Abbots had a tough time in the A Division of the Devon League last summer, only just dodging relegation.
A last-day win over Barton ensured Abbots stayed up and that Plymstock went down with ailing Braunton.
Skipper Richard Acton is clearly hoping Abbots will be focused on the top rather than the bottom of the table next year.
“As the average age of our team was often under 20 last season a lot of people saw us as favourites for relegation,” said Acton.
“We promoted several of our Colts into the 1st XI and they really justified our faith in them.
Whilst we might have lacked experience, we more than made up for that in enthusiasm and team spirit.”
Overseas all-rounder Ryan Williams topped the batting and bowling lists with 541 runs and 26 wickets respectively. He is unlikely to be around next year.
Runs wise there were plenty of chip-ins from Acton (478), Charlie Garratt (386) and Guy Harrison-Roberts (328), but reliable wicket takers were few and far between.
Colts players got a crack in the 1st XI last season – county youngsters Hugo Whitlock and Toby Codd both showing up well – and there are more knocking on the door from the U15 side, who won their division in the South Devon Youth League last summer.
Abbots know they have to grow from within to thrive, which is why Acton is looking for a player-coach to bring youngsters on.
“We’ve identified a need for someone with a few years of senior league cricket to come in and help mentor some of our younger players” said Acton.
“It’s great that the Club is willing to invest in this position.
“The young players that we’ve got are only going to get better with professional coaching.
“Last season we lost several games that we really should have won but with that experience behind us I’m expecting much better things from us next year.”
Abbots have entered three teams in the Indoor Winter League and will begin training for the new season straight after Christmas.