Devon Cricket Board - A Division previews

PLYMPTON captain James Carr isn’t buying into the theory that Lewdown rely too much on Marco Marais.
Marais topped 1,500 runs for Lewdown on the way to promotion from the B Division last season and has two half-centuries to his name already this season.
Plympton have never met Lewdown in the league so Carr has been doing his homework on unknown opposition.
“Saturday is a big match for us as we look to get back to winning ways after a rain-off and a loss,” said Carr.
“None of us know much about Lewdown except that they have come up through the divisions.
“I have spoken with some people and found out some stuff about Lewdown, how they play their cricket and about some of their players.
“It will be interesting to see Marco as we have heard a lot about him. They must have some good players as no team can reply on one player to get up through the divisions.”
Plympton came unstuck batting second against Budleigh last time out, something Carr wants to address.
“I will be looking for our batsmen to play their natural games, but to be controlled when in command and win the match for us,” said Carr.
“Our natural game didn’t work out against Budleigh as we were too aggressive.”
Keeper Dan Robotham has a wedding so Josh Mailling comes in for him with Ross Farrer taking the gloves. Ollie Mulberry comes in for Shaun Smith, who drops down to the 2nd XI.
Harry Geering, the Lewdown captain, is in a similar position to Carr when it comes to advance intelligence.
“We don't know much about them but as from what I’ve seen so far in the A Division the team that turns up on the day wins so we won't be underestimating any sides,” said Geering.
Lewdown lost at Bradninch last time out in a game of fine margins as Geering saw it.
“It was a one-wicket game in each innings with Botha for them and Marais for us,” said Geering
“The top order will be looking to see off the new ball a bit better and contribute as they did so well in the Budleigh and Barton games.
“The bowlers will be looking to get back to bowling better lines as the 60-plus extras was abysmal last week and cost us the game.”
Geering said losing to Bradninch was more disappointing than losing to Budleigh on the opening day of the season.
“We played well but just weren't quite good enough,” said Geering.
“If we played half as well last Saturday we would have walked away with 20 points so it’s a learning curve for us and something we hope we will take into every week being a bit more consistent.”
Ben Williams is back from university and adds some much needed pace and aggression to the bowling attack.
Phil Yeo is available and brings in the experience which was missed last week.
Charlie Hughes (injured) drops down to the 2nd XI as a batsman and 13 year old Leon Horn also drops down after an impressive debut showing us the promise he has with his leg-spin and batting.
“He has certainly got a bright future at this level,” said Geering.
HATHERLEIGH, away to Budleigh Salterton, show three changes to the team beaten by Brixham.
Sean Letheran is unavailable while Rob Cockwill and Andy Bennett go down to the 2nd XI
In come Andy Collier, Jack Cherrington, and also Ruben Forrester, who is making his 1st XI debut.
“Probably, this is going to be one of, if not the toughest, away trip of the season, “ said captain Mark Lake.
“Budleigh have a strong side on paper with a lot of experience, but I feel we have enough quality to give any team a run for there money in this and our first win I don't think is to far away.”
BARTON visit Brixham looking to kick-on from their win over Chudleigh.
Brixham are going to be without veteran batsman Andrew Lewin, but have John Lamswood home from holiday and bring him in.

Barton will be without keeper Andy Hele so Kyle Lardner is promoted from the 2^nd XI.

There’s always some spice to Brixham-Barton games, no doubt because Brixham captain Andy Pugh made his name at Barton.

Barton captain Adam Parker prefers to focus on performances rather than personalities.

“We are looking to kick on from last week’s win over Chudleigh and get another good performance in the bag,” said Parker.

“To get a positive result at Brixham we need to be on top of our game.”

ABBOTSKERSWELL have suffered a blow ahead of their game with Bradninch as new signing James Fulner has left.
Fulner has been around a bit in the past three years, leaving Shaldon for Torquay then fitting in a spell with Bovey Tracey before arriving at Abbots.
The early order bat and wicketkeeper if needed as rejoined Shaldon, which hasn’t surprised Abbots’ captain Dickie Acton.
“Jimmy has emotional ties with Shaldon and although we are disappointed to lose him as both a player and nice guy, he goes with our best wishes,” said Acton.
Mawgan Penrice replaces Fulner with Gareth Penrice stepping in for his 1st XI debut and Raghav Pratap returning too.
WINLESS Chudleigh have a bit more firepower in both departments for the meeting with Paignton.
Batter Derrick Perry and spinner Jack Vittles come back into the side.
“I'm looking forward to a tough game against a good side,” said skipper Ed Foreman.
Rob Shergold and Rich Ashworth come back into the Paignton team.