- 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
HEATHCOAT skipper Sam Smith has his sights set on a top-four finish in the Premier Division this season., which starts with a tricky trip to North Devon on Saturday.
Heathcoat finished seventh out of ten last season but, mathematically, were closer to second top than second bottom.
It was Heathcoat’s first season back in the Premier Division and with Qassim Adams making 684 runs and Toby Lochead and Smith both on 437 they were never in any real trouble.
Adams has gone back to South Africa and after three stints with Heathcoat he probably won’t be back.
The replacement is Bradley Barnes, who plays for Western Province, and averages nearly 30 in First Class cricket and the early 20s in List A games.
With some other new players on board too, Smith is confident of climbing the table.
“Had we not thrown the game away against Plymouth when we needed six to win and they took a hat-trick, and not been robbed by the rain against Cornwood, we would have finished third,” said Smith (pictured).
“With the side we have got this year it is not unreasonable to aim for the top four – we just don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.
“Bradley has started well – he took a century off Exeter University on Saturday – and our batting line-up looks strong.
“Every year I worry about our bowling options and if there is something we need it is another seamer.
“Jamie Parr has left us for Tiverton this season – he wants to play less seriously this year – and we will miss his happy knack of taking wickets at the right time.
“We are not short of bowling – there are plenty of bowlers who can get through ten overs - just a seamer.”
Other new faces at Heathcoat this summer belong to Jack Dart, newly imported from Budleigh Salterton, and Dinesh Raheja from Alphington.
Dart bats and bowls a bit of leg-spin. He is a former Blundell’s student and contemporary of Heathcoat players Matt Hague, Dylan Penberthy and Ned Menheneott.
Raheja, mainly a batter but a seam bowling option as well, was born in India but moved to this country in 2007 to play as a professional in Yorkshire.
He has been attached to Alphington for the past couple of seasons, but approached Heathcoat about a move as he wanted to play Premier cricket.