Devon Cricket Board - Seaton off to winning start at Shaldon

Seaton off to winning start at Shaldon

SHALDON were on the wrong end of an 85-run margin when they entertained fancied Seaton.
Kevin Moran top-scored for Seaton with 82 in a total of 247 for five.
Moran and Steve Pritchard (38) put on 69 for the first wicket then Joel Seward (72) and Moran kept going to 186 for two.
Andy Lockyer (4-39) broke the stand and picked up wickets at the end – Seward the last one on 223.
Karl Blackburn (43) and Kiwi George Thomas (33) got Shaldon off to a 57-run start.
It all started to go wrong on 94 when Todd Ballman was third out for 15 to Joe Berry.
Four wickets went for four runs added as Bury (4-30), Robbie Prior (4-26) and Phil Collins (2-26) got stuck in.
Jamie Day (31) stopped the rot with Andrew Espley (11) with a stand of 54.
Once Day departed the tail folded as the last four wickets went for just 10 runs.
Skipper Couch said there were lessons to be learned batting and bowling from the way the season game panned out.
“Seaton batted with good experience and showed how to grind out an innings in testing conditions,” said Couch.
“We were an opening bowler missing and every time we built a bit of pressure we would throw down a four ball.
Danny McKenna bowled for the first time this season and showed good pace and accuracy.
“George Thomas continues to impress with the keeping gloves and adds another dimension by standing up whenever possible.
“Andy Lockyer rolled back the years with some good bowling but, like the rest of us, bowled too many loose balls and wides.”
Couch said the batter have to learn how to see out their overs.
“We are always ahead on run-rate, but can't see it through,” said Couch.
“Karl Blackburn hit his way back into form which got us off to a good start and Todd Ballman and George Thomas gave us a glimpse of how to bat and compile an innings.
“A couple of lbws stalled the innings until Jamie Day found some form with bat.”
It’s Ottery at home this Saturday, which Couch expects will be a toughie.
“Lewis Townsend, their skipper, hit two centuries against us last year,” said Couch.
“Hopefully, with a full side to pick from, we can push them all the way.
“We have the players but need to be a little bit more clinical and grind out those tough overs batting or bowling.”
Seaton skipper Ben Morgan was decidedly upbeat after the game.
He said: “If that afternoon’s work is a measure of what we can expect this season then bring it on!
“We were good in all departments and there’s no doubt that Joel (Seward) and Robbie (Prior) are going to be huge assets to us.
“One thing that shone through was the spirit amongst the team. Frankly, it was unlike any team atmosphere on and off the square I have seen for some time from a Seaton eleven and if we can maintain the high standards we observed at Shaldon for the bulk of the season then I am confident we will do well.
“I do think this season will be like last in as much as every team in the section, on their day, is capable of beating anyone else.
“That means we will need to be on our ‘A game’ each match day.
“For me the key to this season is certainly putting out a settled side week in and week out.”

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