Devon Cricket Board - Premier - Another top-of-the-table tussle for Bovey

BOVEY Tracey entertain Exmouth in yet another top-of-the-table clash for the Premier leaders.
Bovey have been out in front since the third week of the season and before that were second themselves.
Every match since has been against a side which is either second or third so Bradley could be excused for suffering top-of-the-table fatigue. Not a bit of it.
“Week after week throws up a hard game – that is why the call it the Premier Division,” said Bradley.
“Of the games we have played so far Sidmouth were probably the hardest and they are certainly a strong side despite having a couple of iffy results this season.
“Exmouth are probably the form side right now, and with seamers, spinners of different styles and a strong batting line-up are going to be another challenge.”
Bovey welcome back keeper-batter Ben Ayres, bowler Charlie Hill after he took six wickets in the 2nd XI and batsman Andy Fairbairn;
Exmouth recall Lawrence Greenway behind the stumps for the absent Rhys Davies.
Exmouth skipper Richard Baggs was economical in is pre-match summation, saying: “Bovey have good players and it will be tough to beat them.”
SIDMOUTH go to Bradninch uncomfortably aware they can’t loose again in a hurry and stay in the title race.
Will Murray’s side have lost three of the last four games – only Bovey have fallen to them – and are fifth in the table 26 points off the pace.
“It is important we don’t lose this game as we have lost enough already,” said Murray.
“Our games with Bradninch are always keenly fought and generally close.
“Given the tricky conditions we are likely to find up there, it will be the side that adjusts to them best who will come out on top. We have to ensure that is us.”
Will Sobczak – the Millfield scholar – comes in for Zac Bess in the only significant change.
Bradninch are looking to bounce back from their defeat by North Devon when they were gored by Glenn Querl and Jamie Overton.
We've put last Saturday behind us and are moving forward from it, taking the lessons we learnt,” said Bradninch captain Gary Chappell.
“The problem we're having at the moment is finding a level of consistency with our performances. Some days we're excellent, some days woeful.
“To stay at the top of this division you need to perform week in, week out, which is not what were doing!
“We have still won four out of six and sit fourth in the table so all in all I am happy with our start, we just need to kick on now.”
On the challenge faced against Sidmouth, Chappell added: “They have got some excellent cricketers in their side and in my opinion have been under-performing so far this year.
“I am looking for a response from the guys after last week and i know i'll get it as we are always up for games against Sidmouth!”
Matt Jarrett comes up from the 2nds after scoring an unbeaten 152 and Chris Acton is back in.
NORTH Devon have delayed naming a side for the match against visiting Sandford to see what conditions will be like.
“Going to have a look at the pitch and forecast before naming the side,” said skipper Matt Dart. “There might be a case for an extra batter.”
Sandford will be without early batter Adrian Small (dislocated finger) and spinner Simon Ashplant, who has gone camping.
Batsman George Greed returns and Brian Leach is elevated from the 2nd XI.
HEATHCOAT captain Chris Small said the pressure is on his side to pull off a win in the basement clash with Plymouth at Mount Wise.
Heathcoat are propping up the table on 39 points and need to get past Plymouth (52) and Budleigh Salterton (60) to reach safety.
Small said defeat by Plymouth would be a real blow to Heathcoat’s chances of dodging the drop.
“We can’t afford to lose too many more game as it is – and we must not lose to the teams around us,” said Small.
Heathcoat are going to be without both Williams brothers, who are at a wedding. Some compensation for Small is the return of Tom Frankpitt.
It is has been a trying week for Plymouth captain Callum Whittaker, who has lost Pavi Mawalage to Plympton and James Nicholls to Plymstock.
Mawalage, one of two Sri Lankan brothers at the club, has moved on looking for 1st XI cricket.
Under overseas registration rules he and his brother can’t play in the same side, although there is more than a suggestion that Mawalage was registered incorrectly by Plymouth as he Plympton are counting him as UK qualified.
Nicholls also wants 1st XI cricket but, according to Whittaker is ‘at the back of a long queue’.
Whittaker is convinced Mawalage will be back next season when the qualification issues are resolved.
On Nicholls and Harry Kandampully, who is rumoured to be leaving as well, Whittaker said: “We never want to loose players but it is always the ones who don't want to stand and fight for a position in the team above who move on for an easier ride!
On tomorrow’s game Whittaker added: “It would be good to make it two in two and start putting pressure on the sides in mid table!”
THE game between Budleigh Salterton and Torquay is unlikely to go ahead due to the waterlogged state of the Ottermouth ground.