Devon Cricket Board - Promotion race hotting up in A Division

MATCH of the day in the A Division should be the first-against-third meeting between Bradninch and Paignton at Queens Park.
Bradninch cashed in on Plympton’s defeat by Hatherleigh last time out to go six points clear at the top.
A further point behind in third are Paignton, who are gunning for promotion this season after a near miss in 2013.
Bradninch have made no secret of their intention to bounce straight back into the Premier Division this season –and skipper Tim Piper is typically forthright in his views on his side’s strengths and Paignton’s shortcomings!
“We're on a good run at the moment, beating teams comfortably,” said Piper.
“Confidence is building nicely and it's great to see different people each week putting their hand up and winning the game for us.
“Paignton have an all-round squad and in Zubyar Hamza appear to have a solid overseas batsman.
“They will be a challenge but, unless weather interferes with the game, I think our experience will tell over them.
“It showed last time we played them. Paignton showed real panic in chasing a low target.
“The pressure is on them anyway, as losing this game, combined with their remaining fixtures, will make promotion seem a long way away.
“From what I've seen or heard, they are a 'confident' team.
“A couple of them have a bit of a strut and although as individuals they could play Premier cricket, from my experience, the current squad would not compete in the division above.”
Veteran bowler Chris Acton faces a fitness test, but if he passes it Bradninch will be unchanged.
Paignton captain Connor Bryan didn’t bother with Bradninch’s strengths and weaknesses – he just concentrated on his own team’s plus points.
“Last time we played Bradninch was at there place and it was clearly a bowler-friendly track,” said Bryan.
“This time around at our place I believe it will be a different story.
“Our big strength is our long batting order, as we have shown that throughout the season at home.”
Paignton are without al-rounder Dan Wolf and Pete Taylor. Keepers Justin Mann and Rich Ashworth come in, Ashworth as a batter.
ABBOTSKERSWELL, one place and one point off the relegation places, have a do-or-die meeting with Hatherleigh at Two Mile Oak.
Lose and the pressure is really on Abbots as either Lewdown or Chudleigh will go past them.
Win and Abbots give themselves a fighting change.
After our loss last week, this Saturday’s game is even more important - especially with Lewdown and Chudleigh playing each other,” said skipper Richard Acton.
“A win would leave our destiny in our own hands, however another loss and we may have to start relying on other teams slipping up.
“The guys know where we have to improve, we have talked about it enough! Everyone will be really fired up for the match.
“Hatherleigh have really improved as the season has gone on, however we are always strong at home so they can expect a tough game.”
Acton and Guy Harrison-Roberts are both unavailable so Alex Birt and Charlie Mitchell step up, both of whom have been in the runs recently.
Hatherleigh are 21 points clear of Abbots after beating former leaders Plympton last time out and if they win they are over the horizon.
“The pressure is all on Abbots,” said Hatherleigh captain Mark Lake.
“They know if they lose it puts them along way behind us. “This is our big chance to pull away.”
“We take last week’s performance into the game and I will be disappointed if we don't win.
“But I'm not taking anything for granted as they will be fighting for their lives and results this season have been funny.”
Carl Schwarz is back after illness in place of Danny Forrester.
Chudleigh versus Lewdown has relegation decider written all over it.
Chudleigh – three wins in four starts – are 12 points from safety having won three of the last four.
Lewdown are one of the sides Chudleigh have to get ahead of, and they have only won once of the last four.
A Chudleigh loss will leave them with a lot to do in the final three games to avoid returning straight back to the B Division.
Lewdown skipper Harry Geering should have his strongest side out for a while.
“We are back to full strength for the first time since the Barton game,” said Geering.
Chudleigh skipper Ed Foreman is laid back about the supposed pressure on his side, preferring to concentrate on what they have ben doing right.
“It's just another normal week for us,” said Foreman.
“We have been improving nicely since the turn of the season and want to keep putting in good performances and doing ourselves justice.
“We have a couple of changes that are due to unavailability but that is just a chance for different guys to put their hands up.
“Lewdown and ourselves have had some really close games over the past few years and I think Saturday will be very tight.”
PLYMPTON entertain Barton looking to bounce back from the unexpected defeat at Hatherleigh that cost them top spot.
The damage could have been worse – they remain second – but the up-coming game against Paignton in two weeks time could be a pressure cooker affair if Plympton lose again before then.
Skipper James Carr remains positive about Plympton’s prospects, while agreeing they did themselves on favours at Hatherleigh.
“Disappointing result last Saturday as the pitch got better as it dried out but Hatherleigh thoroughly out played us and deserved their win,” said Carr.
“You can if and but about little things in the match, but we had enough realistically.
“We bowled appallingly, except for Wes Hartslief and Ryan Skinner, at the end so deserved what we got.
“There is still everything to play for though, with the other clubs around us having to play each other we just need to do our job and win.”
Skinner is at a wedding so Carr has gone for an extra batter in Christian Bunney.