Devon Cricket Board - A Division - Baglow wants improvements

A DIVISION
BRAUNTON captain Jon Baglow is looking for big changes in a number of areas for the game against South Devon at Kelsey.
Shobrooke Park pulled off a shock victory at Kelsey last time out, where they won by 16 runs.
Baglow said Braunton’s problems started before the game and only worsened when Andy Paddison sustained an injury during the warm-up.
“Our preparation and attitude wasn't great and that transferred into the first innings,” said Baglow.
“We didn't field particularly well and we bowl too many loose deliveries.
“We haven't bowled well as a unit at all this season and this has to change this weekend and beyond when we look at games against South Devon, Cornwood and Exeter.
“The fielding side just wasn't up to the standard of the previous three weeks.
We went into the game possibly a bowler short, and that turned into a bit of a problem when Andy Paddison got injured.
“When you take out someone who has taken wickets this season and has gone for just over two an over, it makes it hard to replace at very short notice.
“We felt we should have got the runs with Kalsi (51), three batsman in the 30's and three in the teens, but we need to convert the good starts we are getting.
“We are looking forward to putting things back to normal this week. Paddison should be fit to bowl, Harry Booker is available and Laurence May comes in for his debut.”
South Devon are bottom of the table after losing to Brixham last time out and need to start winning soon to avoid a swift return to the B Division.
With batter Ali Wright, spinning all-rounder Jimmy Hart and seamer Jonty Parsons back from holidays the team looks stronger.
Ian shepherd has been showing well with the bat and ball in the seconds and is pushing from selection.
South Devon skipper Adrian Hewings is realistic about the challenge of tomorrow’s game.
“Braunton is always a tough away day, as they are always strong at home,” said Hewings.
“We look to build on positives of last week with bat and ball.
“Also, we must make sure we keep the good team ethic up and take our chances and results will come.”
Paignton, encouraged by their demolition job on Abbotskerswell, are unchanged to face Shbrooke Park.
Skipper Andy Kingdon was down in the dumps before the game against Abbots, but a first win in 25 starts and a big ton from Seb Benton has cheered him up!
“I feel like after a slow start to the season we are finally starting to click and bowl in the right areas and apply ourselves in the middle,” said Kingdon.
“Seb looks at another level at the moment. On his day he is the best batsman in Devon in my opinion.
“His 152 last weekend was chance less. I am hoping for an exciting summer watching Seb bat and seeing the young lads in the team play a big role.”
Abbotskerswell will be looking to bounce back from their Queens Park hammering when they entertain Plymstock.
Batter Richard Ashworth is away but early season run scorer and wicket taker Richard Acton comes in.
Skipper Richard Lake isn’t too unhappy with the way Abbots are going, but feels they are not doing themselves justice at times.
“The team hasn't started going through the gears yet and emphasis has been put on players to improve their performance for this fixture and maintain a solid home performance,” he said.
PLYMPTON and Cornwood clash in an eagerly awaited derby between two teams who haven’t met in a while.
You have to go back to the 2002 season for the last league clash before the teams went their separate ways.
Cornwood finished bottom of the Premier Division that season while Plympton stayed in the top-flight until the end of last term when the relegation reaper finally claimed them.
This season both sides have promotion in mind and with local pride at stake the game should be a cracker!
Derbies can become hot houses though and Plympton’s acting skipper Dave Wrench is well aware of the potential pitfalls.
“Most of our players have not played against Cornwood in a league game so are really fired up for it,” said Wrench.
“That’s good and as it should be, but it is important to stay focused and make sure we do the basics right, not get carried away by the occasion.”
Cornwood skipper Craig Harris is trying to look beyond this game to the challenges of getting into a promotion position and staying there.
“We were thrilled to pick up a win in last week’s game against Plymstock, but we know the next few weeks will have more of a toll on our season that the matches we have already played,” said Harris.
“This week we have Plympton, followed by Braunton and Abbotskerswell, with Exeter to come, which leaves us a great challenge up to the half way point of the season.
“Plympton are a good side and one that will be looking to pick up points to put a charge on promotion.
This is one game when we will need to hit the ground running.
“That said, we are confident in our own game, and will focus on what we have to do, rather than the opposition.”
Cornwood will be without medium pacer Andy Bees and have brought in Dave Walter to bolster the batting.
Dave’ brother Andy is Plympton’s captain and after two weeks out of action he will be back to lead the side.
Plympton are without Somerset’s Lewis Gregory, Craig Donohue and Shaun Smith. As well as Andy Walter, Alex Carr and Duncan Hefford come in.
LEADERS Exeter are determined not to get carried away by the flying start to the season which has seen them open up a seven-point lead over Cornwood and 13-point gap over third-placed Brixham, who entertain them tomorrow.
Skipper Jon Tipper concedes Exeter are where they want to be, but with 14 games to play there is a lot to do on the way to promotion.
“We are in a far better position than last year when by this stage of the season we hadn’t won a game,” said Tipper.
“Because we have had such a good start we have put the outcome in our own hands.
“So far our only real test has been Plympton and we got the best of that game without actually winning it.
“Coming up are Brixham, Braunton, Paignton and Cornwood – all sides with their own Premier ambitions.
“Just as Torquay did last year when they won the division unbeaten, we want to win ever game. If we can’t we get as many points as possible and whatever we do we try to avoid losing.”
Team news from the County Ground is that seamer Andy Mead and batter Tom Viljoen both come into the side.