Devon Cricket Board - A Division: Gregory back for Plympton

A DIVISION

SOMERSET’S Lewis Gregory will be making one if his rare guest appearances for Plympton tomorrow in the tussle with Plymstock at Harewood House.

The two sides haven’t met since 1999 as it is that long since they were both in the same division.

Gregory hasn’t had much action with Somerset recently, so some overs and batting time won’t go amiss.

And at the end of a week which has seen skipper Andy Walter have to take a break for personal reasons, and Ryan Skinner and Alex Carr withdraw as well, Gregory’s return is well timed.

Another piece of good news for Plympton is that former Devon batsman Jeremy Williams is available having pulled out of the defeat at Braunton last Saturday.

Plymstock bring in batter Steve Coomer for bowler Darren Full, on the back of some solid scoring for the second team.

Team spokesman Seb Jordan said: “We're all very excited about taking on Plympton in the A Division.

“It'll be a good gauge following our poor start to the season with Exeter, but we're getting a bit more used to this league now after our win at South Devon, so hopefully we can put in a good performance.”

EXETER will be disappointed not to make it three from three when they visit Shobrooke Park.

Plymstock and Abbotskerswell have already fallen by the wayside to the promotion chasers from the County Ground while Shobrooke are bottom of the pile after two defeats

“We have had great start and all want to keep run going,” said Exeter skipper Jon Tipper.

“Shobrooke have not had a good start but we know they have some good players so will make sure there is no complacency from our part.

“If we play as we did last week we will be very difficult to beat.”

Rich Croney is unavailable due to an exam. Alec Bosomworth will keep and Robbie Williams makes his first start this season.

BRIXHAM captain Mark Orchard is expecting a the toughest test of the season so far when he takes his team to Braunton.

Braunton battled to the end to beat fancied Plympton last time out, which has only increased the respect Orchard will accord them.

“Braunton showed that they'll be up there this year as that's was a great result for them against a good Plympton side,” said Orchard.

“Jon Baglow has a good bunch of lads who will give us a hard game.

“They are a gritty side to overcome but confidence is high and if we change nothing, keep concentrating on ourselves and doing the right things I will be confident of building on the good work from the last two weeks.”

Brixham had Paignton on the ropes last Saturday but could not kill them off.

Orchard said Paignton had no complaints – and neither did he.

“I spoke to a couple of Paignton players,who admitted we outplayed them and that's always nice to hear in a local derby,” said Orchard.

Brixham have brought in Ryan Shepherd as a second spinner as they lost a point against Paignton for slow over rate. He comes in for Mike Meech who goes into seconds for time in middle and some overs.

George Northcott is preferred as a straight swap for Andrew Lewin as a batsman.

Braunton captain Baglow said the team are in the right frame of mind for a tough game after the manner of their win over Plympton.

In a see-saw game which went down to the last couple of balls, Braunton kept their nerve to win.

“We convincingly lost the first eight overs (0-59), where their openers went for it and batted well.

“We then turned to spin for the next 41 overs, with Paddison, Booker, Lathwell and six overs from myself - and to bowl them out for 151 was a really good performance.

“We batted well with partnerships from Roberts and Hodges and then Hodges and Lathwell.

“Needing 13 to win off the last over, I backed myself with the first two deliveries and thankfully they both went for four and we managed to get over the line.

“I said after the first game that there could be a few close finishes this season so it was great to come out on top in this one.

“Brixham have improved from last year and look to be aiming for promotion. It is going to be another test for us, but something we are looking forward to, I wouldn't mind another close finish.”

Braunton welcome back Tom Mitcham and Wayne Manning. Also back in the squad is Paul Hume.

Out goes former Somerset and England man Mark Lathhwell, who is 2nd XI captain this season.

“.The 2nds were called off early last week and we were struggling a little when Mark offered to play, if we needed him,” said Baglow.

“You jump at chances like that.

“Although Mark enjoyed it, he has commitments to the 2nd XI where we are trying to build for the future.

“Hopefully he might feature again at some point this season.”

ARCH rivals Abbotkerswell and South Devon meet at Two Mile Oak, both on the back of losses.

Abbots’ skipper Richard Lake said the defeat by Exeter last time out had done little to dent confidence in camp.

“Key lessons were learned last weekend and we are looking to bounce back,” said Lake.

“Alex Birt, an additional batter is coming in to strengthen the line-up.

“With confidence high in the dressing room, it should be an interesting derby.”

South Devon captain Adrian Hewings is a little more grounded in his view of the game.

“After last week’s shortcomings, I am looking players to put in performances,” said Hewings.

A few fresh faces have been pushing at nets, which has added to competition for places, giving selection dilemmas.

“I am looking forward to and expecting the usual hard-fought game.”

South Devon’s hoped for overseas player from Sri Lanka won’t be coming over as visa problems have scuppered their plans.

Among the new comers impressing Hewings at practice is Indian batter and medium pacer Rajash Poolianchalli, who has been playing in Scotland while working over here in the aerospace industry.

CORWOOD captain Craig Harris hopes to see some more of the application which swept Shobrooke Park aside when Paignton visit Oak Park.

Having disappointed against Brixham first time out, the Corns looked more like themselves while beating Shobrooke.

Harris said while some things are going right, there is always room for improvement.

:Our bowling has been a big positive so far this term and Mike Wood and Matt Butterworth have led the way,” said Harris.

“I was pleased Adam Goodliffe got some overs in against Shobrooke and also picked up some wickets.

“Our fielding showed glimpses of brilliance in a run out and a few catches, but there is still some application needed in certain areas and we are all working hard on them.

‘After faultering in the first week our run chase against Shobrooke was much more assertive. Seeing Alastair Craig and Sal set in and bat at length was a real highlight.”

Paignton captain Andy Kingdon has been impressed by Cornwood so far, saying: “They look like one of the contenders for promotion.”

Steven George is injured so Terry Farkins comes in.

“I expect Terry to do a good job with the conditions suiting his bowling at Cornwood,” said Kingdon.

“We have trained hard this week so should be more match.”

Batter Pete Taylor makes his debut and comes in for Callum Stanley, who drops down to get a chance to bat.

Said Kingdon: Pete is only 15 but looks like being one for the future.

“He has sound technique and very good in the field so I am excited to see how he does.”

Cornwood’s team news is that Andy Bees returns in place of Ben Warren, with the aim of balance the side with bowling/batting options.