Devon Cricket Board - B Division - top two clash at Hatherleigh

B Division - top two clash at Hatherleigh

THE big game in the B Division is at Hatherleigh where leaders Barton are the visitors.
Only a point separates the two sides at the top of the table with former leaders Chudleigh a further 11 points behind in third after they slipped up at Barnstaple last time out.
Barton captain Adam Parker sees the game as a chance to open up a gap at the top of the table.
“A positive result will give us some distance between the chasing pack,’ said Parker
“As always, we will be concentrating on our game and look to build on last week’s performance against Alphington with another good team performance.
“Down to the business end of the season now so will be looking to push on and string a few good results together.”
Hatherleigh captain Mark Lake has clearly been looking at the same script.
“It is a massive game for both sides and we know how important it is to gain a positive result with two or three sides behind us hoping to gain ground,” said Lake.
“I believe we can gain a positive result and take a hold of top spot, but we know Barton are a very good side after getting the better of us at their place earlier on in the season.
“I am sure they realise coming to Hatherleigh will not be easy and no points will be given up easy.”
Hatherleigh are unchanged while Barton’s Andy McVeigh is getting married so misses the game.
Chudleigh see the Barton-versus-Hatherleigh clash as a chance to get back in the promotion places.
“With the top two playing each other we should be able to pick up points on one of them,” said skipper Jon Martin.
A big boost for Chudleigh is the return of Aussie all-rounder Sean Day, who has been a successful overseas player with the club in the past.
Day, now living in this country with wife and family, took 56 wickets and scored 391 runs as the club’s overseas player in 1998.
With Will Heather dropping out to work at the Olympics we are fortunate to have a ready made replacement in Sean Day - a massive boost for the team and the club as a whole,” said Martin
Lewdown’s game at Dartington is going to be a turning point, according to skipper Charlie Hughes.
“I btill believe we are in with a slim chance of going up but need to start winning,” said Hughes.
‘Lose again – as we did against Tavistock - and we could well end up in a relegation fight.”
Dartington are in the relegation fight, but with Ian Bransdon and Joe Hocking back skipper Kalon Veale is feeling confident.
“Lewdown are a strong side but we will be fighting for everything we can,” said Veale.
After their result last week they will want to put in a good performance, but we will be ready for it.”
Thorverton will be looking to take the form which defeated Dartington into their game against Alphington.
Skipper Paul Fielder feels promotion is still in Thors’ grasp as the top half off the table is so tight.
“Alphington are third from bottom, but we won't be taking them lightly as they will after revenge,” said Fielder.
“It is also a derby games and we know how close those games can be.
“ We are only 24 points off top with all top three to play so we will take each game as it comes.”
Team news is that Nick Barton and Will Denford are away so in come Phil Jones and Neil Anning.
Tavistock, still hovering over the drop zone, welcome Barnstaple & Pilton encouraged by their win over Lewdown.
A further boost for Tavvy is the return of pacae bowler Ollie Sale from boarding school for the rest of the season.
“It is great to have a pace bowler back in our team,” said skipper Shaun Daymond.
“It will be a tough game against Barnstaple. Their skipper (Steve Moore) is a good bowler and they are a good, all-round unit and a hard team to beat.
“But with our current form were hoping to get some good points from the game.”

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