- 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
RELEGATION into the C Division might just be the kick up the backside Axminster need to get them firing on all four cylinders again.
Wind the clock back ten years and Axminster were a club going places – pressing for a place in the Premier Division and expanding to four Saturday sides in the league.
Axminster won the A Division title in 2001, but that was the infamous year when there was no promotion or relegation from any division due to the fixture disruption caused by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
They still wonder today at Cloakham Lawn what might have been had Axminster been allowed to take their place in the top flight.
Axminster were relegated from the A Division in 2006 and have declined since.
The 4th XI folded two years ago and the 3rd XI didn’t make it through last season.
Tristan Wakeley is the new man in charge at Axminster and he has a clear agenda.
Wakeley wants Axminster to start climbing the league ladder again, sooner rather than later.
“Our first aim is to get out of the C Division this season and get back into the A Division within three years,” said Wakeley.
“A number of players have signed or re-joined us this season and with the side we have we can push hard this year.
“We all know the club’s playing fortunes have declined, but I intend that will change.
“An encouraging sign is how well we have prepared pre-season – something we have not been great at for a while.
“I have even had players ringing and texting me asking if we can have extra practice sessions.”
Axminster have signed five players for the season ahead, which starts against Clyst St George this Saturday.
Off-spinning all-rounder Gary Larcombe is back from Chard, as is Joel Seward, who will open the bowling and bat at four.
Rob Prior and Brett Garner have both rejoined – Prior bowls, Garner does a bit of everything – and there is a mystery man as well.
“I have promised not to say who he is until our first game out of respect to his former club,” said Wakeley.
A player to watch out for this season at Cloakham is young quick bowler Matt Pyle, whp can only improve on last season’s 17-wicket haul.