- 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
DEVON will have one more look at their bowling options in the final pre-season warm-up game against Cardiff MCCU at Blundell’s School, Tiverton this Sunday.
Bradninch’s new signing Dan Milligan has been invited to show what he can do with a new ball, and there is a call up for 6ft 4 ins Sidmouth pacer Will Gater.
Budleigh’s Charlie Morris is unavailable while Torquay’s Nick Watkin is left out after an expensive spell against Somerset 2nd XI last Sunday.
Watkin went for nearly eight an over without taking a wicket, which damaged his chances of making the one-day side for the up-coming MCCA Trophy games.
Devon would have liked North Devon’s Zimbabwe-born seamer Glenn Querl to have an outing against Cardiff with a view bringing him into the squad, but he has commitments with the Unicorns which take priority.
Having lost Ian Bishop, Neil Hancock and Scott Barlow from the one-day squad, Devon knew they would have slots to fill for the season ahead.
Skipper Chris Bradley said finding the right candidates is proving a little harder than anticipated.
“We have seen plenty of bowling in our first two games and now have a pretty good idea what players can and can’t do,” said Bradley.
“Somerset was a difficult game for us as we knew their batting would be strong and for the less experienced bowlers in our side it was going to be a big test. I am sure some nerves crept in.
“That is the sort of batting we are going to come across in Minor Counties cricket so it is a fair test.
“We have one more game to have another look, then we should be in a position to make an informed decision.
“Dan Milligan has only just moved to the area, but has good pedigree having played for Cumbria in youth cricket, Lancashire 2nd XI and at a decent level in the Northern Premier League.
“We had wanted go have a look at Will Gater before now, but this is the first game he has been available for.”
Although Devon were well beaten by Somerset 2nd XI, Bradley said it had been a worthwhile exercise.
“I think there were plenty of positives,” said Bradley.
“Rob Holman batted well for his hundred and looks in good form for the start of the cup games,” said Bradley.
“Matt Thompson batted well and Peter Randerson did himself no harm with a quick 41. He bats ugly – which is a compliment – and did a good job coming in at seven, where you want someone to get on with it.”
Randerson and Holman rescued Devon from a middle order collapse that saw them slump from 137 for one to 142 for five.
Dave Lye, Jason Hall and Zak Bess managed just one run between them, which Bradley said contributed to Devon’s defeat.
“We were 20-25 runs short and that was where we didn’t get them,” said Bradley.
Hall and Bess drop out against Cardiff to be replaced by Seb Benton and Gary Chapple.
Devon (from): R J Woodman (Taunton), J E Burke (Budleigh), R J Holman (Exeter), D F Lye (Exmouth), J J Bess (Sidmouth), S R Benton (Paignton), P J Randerson (Sidmouth), M W Thompson (Torquay), D J Milligan, G R Chappell (both Bradninch), T S Anning (Exmouth), W H Gater (Sidmouth), C Bradley (Bovey Tracey).