Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division - time running out for Bovey

BOVEY Tracey skipper Peter Bradley said his batters have to get it right in the last two games of the season if the Premier title is going to be won this season.
Having topped the table for most of the season, Bovey have got into tomorrow’s meeting with North Devon having dropped down to third after three straight defeats.
The gap between Bovey and leaders Sidmouth is 17 points, which is wide enough but not unbridgeable as Sidmouth have to play second-placed Exmouth on the last day of the season.
It could to down to the final round of fixtures when Bovey play Heathcoat, so every point will be vital.
Bradley said if Bovey don’t get two wins and as near to 40 points as possible they have no chance. At least they will have the consolation of knowing why.
“We haven’t had any 20-point maximums all season, mainly because we have been unable to score enough runs to get all our batting points,” said Bradley.
“Our bowling has been decent, our fielding fine but not enough of our batsmen have been firing
“Only Neil Hancock and myself have scored 50s this season. The rest of the order has been up and down too much. Availability problems haven’t helped us have a settled order and you need that to be successful.”
Sidmouth – 13 points clear of Exmouth at the top – entertain relegation battlers Heathcoat.
The return of Zac Bess to the bowling attack after injury – 10 wickets in the last two games – has given Sidmouth a timely boost.
The title seems Sidmouth’s to lose now, although skipper Will Murray doesn’t see it quite that way.
“Heathcoat are battling to stay up and with four wins in the last five games are in pretty good form,” said Murray.
“Then we finish with Exmouth, who are jostling behind us looking to take top spot for themselves.
“ Both sides have their reasons for winning so it is going to be competitive for us.”
By the sounds of it, Murray is right to be just a little wary of Heathcoat.
With Jack Menheneott and Paul Elliot back, we are just about at full strength,” said captain Chris Small.
“There is no reason why we can’t win our last two matches if we go back to the cricket we played against Exmouth.”
Exmouth take on lowly Budleigh on their home ground after league bosses agreed to a ground switch.
Budleigh’s ground is unplayable due to flood damage and their rented pitch at Topsham isn’t available.
That was good news for Budleigh, who needed some after having five points deducted for fielding an unregistered player against Sidmouth two weeks ago.
Only eight points separate Budleigh from the drop zone and they need a win to keep Sandford and Heathcoat a respectable distance behind them.
Exmouth captain Richard Baggs is in the ‘Sidmouth’s-to-lose’ camp, but that’s no reason to stop chasing them.
“You never know what might happen so there is all to play for – and we will have to play well,” said Baggs.
“Budleigh are a much-improved side with an excellent attack and with Bob Dawson and James Burke both in great form with the bat.”
Fourth-placed Plymouth probably can’t win the title as they are 20 points off second place.
However, wins over Bradninch and Budleigh next Saturday could hoist them into third and maybe even second place.
Halfway through the season Plymouth were 10 points away from a relegation place. Since then they have picked up 103 points and changed captains along the way.
New skipper Chris Barr – he replaced Callum Whittaker – said the players had got a grip and earned their reward.
“The biggest thing is we are all very clear on our own roles within the team,” said Barr.
“We set very clear team goals which make it easy to determine whether we are on track during a game and help us to know where to improve.
“Therefore over the season we have improved immensely.
“We also have a great team spirit which really helps to get everyone playing as a unit.”
Team news is Andy Birkett in for Ben Stein and Pasi Mawalagi preferred to Henry Bennett.
There is a relegation battle royal on the cards at Torquay where Sandford are the visitors.
Sandford are two off the bottom while Torquay are 12 points ahead of them with North Devon to play on the last day.
Torquay skipper Justin Yau does not want to be playing for survival at Instow next Saturday.
“A win this week will see us stay up and maintain our Premier status so we all know exactly what's at stake,” said Yau.
“The last thing we want is going to North Devon needing a large number of points to stay up.
“It is our cup final for the year, we are at home and we are relishing the challenge of facing Sandford.
“They have match winners like all other teams in the division namely Matt Theedom, Adrian Small and Neil Bettis.
“We have had a mixed few weeks but have played pretty well on the whole and we need to ensure we can utilise our plans right this week.
“Ian Baker comes into the side with Tom Field going out. Tom has been superb for us since he signed from Paignton, but with the amount of rain forecast I've decided to go for an extra seamer on a fresh wicket.
“We all know what Ian Baker brings to the table and he will be a great influence for us.
“Tom is unlucky but will certainly play a key role at Instow where I'll need two spinners.”