Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division previews

SIDMOUTH have been boosted by the inclusion of Somerset fast bowler Adam Dibble for tomorrow’s derby clash with Exmouth on the Fortfield.
Dibble (pictued) hasn’t bowled a ball in anger this week so he and Somerset are more than happy for some game time.
Harrison Jones drops out from what is otherwise the same team which won by 101 runs at Torquay last time out.
“It is a good arrangement for all of us,” said Sidmouth captain Will Murray.
“We had a great start against Torquay and would like to continue in that vain.
“Exmouth had a pretty good result as well and looking at their side I am expecting a cracking game.”
Opposite number Richard Baggs is very much in agreement with last season’s Premier Division-winning captain.
“Looking forward to a very hard battle against a good team whose record speaks for itself.We go there full of confidence. Should be a great game.”

BRADNINCH captain Tim Piper wants to see a bit more application from the batters when his side entertain Plymouth.
Although Jackson Thompson made 55 against Exmouth last time out, Bradninch were skittled for 131 and lost by 194 runs.
“We have to bat time, which we didn’t do against Exmouth,” said Piper.
“When we are bowling we have to bowl in better areas.”
Bradninch were a bit depleted against Exmouth, but with James Street and Nick Dean back have an extra batter and bowler against Plymouth.
Having trounced North Devon by 150 runs last Saturday, Plymouth have set out their stall for the season.
Skipper Matt Hooper has named an unchanged team and is looking for more of the same against a Bradninch side he feels will be dangerous because of their defeat by Exmouth.
“We are expecting a bit of a backlash from them after their result last weekend,” said Hooper.
“We have an unchanged side and we know that Bradninch have the players to challenge any team in this division.
“We are looking for another victory to back up the excellent performance last weekend.”

EXETER expect to have a couple of new faces on parade when they host Torquay.
Batter Andrew Curtis – son of former England batsman Tim – has joined the club while studying at the University of Exeter.
Curtis junior also bats and will probably go in early.
Keeper Richard Fern, who previously played in Shropshire, replaces the unavailable Cameron Evans behind the stumps.
Otherwise it is as you were as Exeter look to improve on their showing against Bovey Tracey first time out.
“We need to find another 10-15 per cent against Torquay,” said Exeter skipper Jon Tipper.
“A win is essential after the Bovey defeat as we don’t want to build negativity by embarking on a long, losing run.
“It is going to be a tough game as Torquay have some quality players, Matt Thompson being a touch of class, but they will find we have a few of our own.”
Torquay were well and truly beaten by Sidmouth last time out and lost opening bowler Ian Baker with a dislocated shoulder.
Skipper Ben Passenger is looking for the batters to get entrenched at Exeter and not give their wickets away.
Said Passenger: “Making 285 to win was always going to be difficult, but after putting on 50-odd for the first wicket we could have done better than 183 all out.
“We should have got all five batting bonus points – three isn’t enough – and that is what we have to aim for in future.”
Don’t be surprised if Torquay parade a new signing to bolster the batting.
Bowling wise Passenger wasn’t too disappointed.
“Losing Ian Baker was a blow – how long for we don’t know – but I was pleased with the way we came back at the death when Nick Watkin and Dan Wightman bowled well.”

BUDLEIGH Salterton are looking to bounce straight back from their defeat by Cornwood when they visit North Devon.
The side will be stronger with batter Eliot Rice and Lloyd White included, although losing Jack Dart doesn’t help.
Batter Dart – one of the Devon Lions’ squad – has to play in a school match rather than Premier cricket, which seems a bit of an anachronism in this day and age.
North Devon name the same side which went down heavily at Plymouth last Saturday.
However, skipper Matt Dart hopes to see more effort all-round
“I Hope the batters produce and should do on a good pitch.
“I know it's early season but I'm hoping the spinners produce as well in the absence of Glen Querl.”
It could be another month before North Devon see professional Glen Querl as he is currently on a short-term contract at Hampshire.

BOVEY Tracey captain Peter Bradley isn’t about to start worrying about 22-pointers just yet, even though the prospect of them is catching on.
A little-known rule in Devon’s 50-over cricket is the side batting first can pick up 22 points for a win by declaring before the 46th over starts, then bowling out the side batting second.
It was in place all last season, but no captain actually claimed it.
On the first Saturday of the current campaign Exmouth and Sidmouth both came off early and got the 22 points.
On paper Bovey appeared to be in position to do the same against Exeter – they finished on 273 for six in the full 50 – but the reality was slightly different.
“We scored something like 70 runs in the last seven overs, so at 45 overs we didn’t have enough to declare,” said Bradley.
“I can see the attraction of going for the extra two points, but it isn’t something I will be going into every game looking to do.
“The first priority has to be to win the game – that’s worth up to 20 points – and that remains so.
“If we have been out there for 30 overs and it’s on, then maybe we will have a go.”
Bovey have to get by without young all-rounder Sam Wyatt-Haines - he is playing in the same game as Budleigh’s Jack Dart – and bring in Richard Lake.
Cornwood are going with the bulk of the side which beat Budleigh last time out to make a winning return to the Premier after 12 years away.
“No team changes needed -just need to press on in the next game,” said skipper Craig Harris.
“Points early in the season are a massive boost to confidence, morale and to the task of staying in the league.”