Devon Cricket Board - B Division: Martin injects note of caution

B Division: Martin injects note of caution

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CHUDLIGH captain Jon Martin isn’t getting carried away by his side’s start to the season as the prepare to welcome Thorverton.

The Kate Brook outfit have won twice so far, but on neither occasion have they been impressive.

Scoring runs is the problem and Martin says the batters have to knuckle down.

“I bet other sides look at us and say ‘great bowing side, but not too much batting’ and I would have to agree with them,” said Martin.

“So far we have been able too limit sides pretty well and just about had enough batting to get over the line.

“It is nice to win, but that can’t hide a problem we have had for three or four years now.

“Batsman have to knuckle down and get some runs and make it easier for the middle order, instead of us being five down for 60 or 70.”

Martin is confident overseas batter Scott Schaw will make someone suffer soon.

“He has had two ducks in the league, but got some runs when we beat Bovey in the Thomas Trophies T20 on Wednesday night and I would say he is due some more,” said Martin

Thoverton are looking to bounce back from their defeat by Lewdown.

Skipper James Hope said: “We know what we have to work on, so a bit of application and hopefully results will be positive.

“We are looking forward to Chudleigh.”

Nick Barton comes in for Jake Choules.

SHOBROOKE Park go to Ivybridge looking to kick start their season after two defeats.

Skipper Justin Dollow regards the loss to Chudleigh last Saturday as one that got away and wants to avoid a repeat against Ivybridge.

“It has not been a great start to this season and we have some work to do,” said Dollow, who reports no significant changes to the side.

“We will need to make sure we are at the top of our game to ensure we get the result we need this weekend.

“After a game we could have and should have won last week we need to get a result to build some confidence.

“I am not too concerned at the moment but this could change if we are not able to get wins out of the next couple of games.”

Ivybridge make two changes to the side that beat Tavistock last time out.

Off spinner Adam Birch is back in side for Pete Abraham after taking 5-11for 2nd XI last week and all-rounder Dan Newman comes in for Tim lancaster who is not available due to work.

“I was very happy with second win, but we could have made it a bit easier after being 65-2 chasing 103,” said captain Gareth Andrews.

“I don't know much about Shobrooke, but sure it will be a tight game.”

STOKE Gabriel captain Josh Dowling hopes the long trek to Barnstaple & Pilton will allow his players time to reflect on the season so far.

Stoke have lost both games since being promoted, most recently at home to Alphington.

Said Dowling: “We need to bat some overs, and put some value on our wickets.

I think the B division will be very close this year, we just need to kick-start our season going.

“A long road trip to Barnstaple will give us plenty of time to think about what every individual needs to do for us to get our first victory.”

TAVISTOCK skipper Shaun Daymond isn’t dwelling on the defeat at Ivybridge going into the game against South Devon at the Ring.

South Devon have yet to win following relegation last season and are hoping to avoid a third straight defeat.

“Last week was down to who could bat better on a bad wicket,. so it was a lottery,” said Daymond.

“We won't be at our strongest this week but hoping to get the win.”

Tavvy are two bowlers down as lee baker and James McGahey are missing.

Ash Woodrow plays his first game for Tavvy.

South Devon are again without batsman Paul Hooper and lose George Burningham for this one.

Otherwise the team is the same one which lost narrowly at Barnstaple last time out.

LEWDOWN will be without match-winner Matt Witcher for their visit to Alphington.

Witter hit an unbeaten ton on the win over Thorverton, but misses the trip to the Chronicles.

The Williams brothers and Sam Ewen are still away so up-and- coming youngster tallen burns makes debut and Ed Squire is in for his first game of the season.

“I am hoping for a better fielding performance this week but, hopefully, the same result,” said skipper Harry Geering.

Alphington remain without all-rounder Alvin Pollard for another week, but are otherwise at full-strength.

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