Devon Cricket Board - Exeter fume at Richardson departure

EXETER skipper Jon Tipper said he was disappointed to lose left-arm seamer Jack Richardson to Premier rivals Torquay.
Richardson, part of the Devon Lions development programme, has been unable to hold down a regular 1st XI place at the County Ground this season.
Richardson was in the 1st XI for Sunday’s Devon Cup win over Cornwood, but there was no guarantee he would have played against Exmouth tomorrow.
Tipper said he understood Richardson wanted to play 1st XI cricket, but didn’t feel he would further his career at the Recreation Ground.
“We brought two of our youngsters in for the cup game against Cornwood – Jack and Billy Searle,” said Tipper.
‘One of them took his chance, the other one didn’t, and now the one who didn’t has decided to look elsewhere for his cricket.
“I am disappointed Jack didn’t decide to stay and fight for his place in the team.
“He wasn’t that far away from a place and if anyone got injured or went on holiday he was next in line.
“I hope Jack does get in the 1st XI at Torquay, otherwise there is no point going.
“If he loses his place then it is down to the D Division West where Torquay’s 2nd XI play, which is four levels below our 2nd XI. That won’t do his cricket any good at all.”
Exeter are at home to Exmouth tomorrow.
Exmouth had hoped to bring back pacer Trevor Anning, but the hand injury which stopped him playing last weekend hasn’t cleared up yet and he stays out.
In for Exeter are seamer Andy Mead and all-rounder Matt Hicks. Missing is opener Andy Curtis.
Tipper said Exmouth are slight favourites going into the game, but are not invincible.
“Really looking forward to the prospect of testing ourselves against Exmouth,” said Tipper.
“Having come off the back of two league and two cup, wins we are in a much better place to do so.
“We are fully aware of the outstanding ability Exmouth possess, their batting is Minor Counties standard not league standard, however we can't simply roll over and we must play with confidence.
“Our bowlers are looking better and better and with the return of Matt Hicks and Andy Mead we look even stronger, so we can try and take the game to them.
As long as everyone plays to their full capability then we can really push Exmouth !
TORQUAY captain Ben Passenger may try a change of tactics in the derby clash with Bovey Tracey on Saturday – if he wins the toss.
Last Saturday’s 64-run defeat at Plymouth was Torquay’s third in four starts this season, although the mood was lightened by a Devon Cup win at Bradninch a day later.
Torquay have generally been chasing targets rather than setting them and Passenger is starting to think that may be the problem.
“We have now scored 190, 245, 230 and 260 twice in our games, so we know we can score runs,” said Passenger.
Perhaps we should try a different approach of putting runs on the board, then applying pressure bowling second, as we have chased in every game so far?”
Passenger said he was pleased to see the runs shared around in both games last weekend.
Less pleasing was Torquay’s fielding game against Plymouth in particular, which left a bit to be desired.
“We lacked consistency in our bowling and we didn't take our chances in terms of catches or run-outs, which meant Plymouth scored too many,” said Passenger.
Bovey have to manage without gunbarrel seamer Charlie Hill – you miss, he hits – but welcome back Devon’s Ryan Bougourd and keeper Ben Ayres.
An interesting change is the inclusion of young bowler Ben Steer, who replaces James Fulner.
Bovey captain Peter Bradley has been doing his homework on Torquay and rates them better than their one-from-four record suggests.
“They seem to be scoring runs and taking wickets but not getting results,” said Bradley.
“Sooner of later Torquay will get it right and we have to ensure that’s not against us.”

NORTH Devon won’t be fielding suspended fast bowler Glenn Querl against Sidmouth tomorrow as he hasn’t returned from Hampshire despite his bowling ban.
Querl has been banned from bowling in county games by the ECB after suspicions were aroused about his bowling action.
ECB experts have ruled Querl;s action isn’t legal and have said he can’t bowl in the pro game until it is.
Whether Querl could bowl for North Devon in the Devon League is something of a grey area as the ECB ban only specifies England and county games.
The DCL is an ECB-sanctioned competition, but that doesn’t automatically mean the ban is transferable.
Sidmouth officials and Devon League officials have been jumping around since Tuesday trying to determine if Querl can bowl or not.
For this week at least the question is academic – and possibly in the longer term as well.
“Glenn went away with the Hampshire 1st XI as12th man this week and that means he isn’t available for us,” said Matt Dart.
“Glenn is desperate to make a career in county cricket and all of us at North Devon really feel for him.
“The good news is Hampshire have said they want to work with Glenn to sort out the problem.
“If Glenn is staying up there for remedial work, hopefully he won’t be coming back to us at all. It is good for him they want to do that, not show him the door.”
The Querl question has overshadowed the build up to the game, which is one North Devon really can’t afford to lose after three losses in the first four starts which has left them one off the bottom.
“It is time to start again – and Sidmouth is no better place to do it,” said Dart.
“As it is only the first Saturday in June there is plenty of time left and nothing to panic about.
“We have a very talented side and it won’t be long before we are firing.”
Sidmouth will be without Will Gater due to injury, but hope to have Somerset’s Adam Dibble released for the game.
THE Devon League’s two leading run getters clash head on at Ottermouth when Budleigh Salterton entertain Plymouth.
Plymouth’s Marnus Labuschange had two tons in a total of 351 runs – 20 more than Budleigh Salterton’s Bob Dawson.
“It will be fascinating to see the two top run-scorers in the league go up against each other,” said Plymouth skipper Matt Hooper.
“I am also looking forward to seeing our batters in action again. They are all in great form and I can't wait to see what they can do next.
“We are looking to make it four out of five and keep the pressure on the early season pacesetters.
“I believe our team has great balance to it and there is a really good atmosphere in the club.
“We are just looking forward to getting out there again and being able to show what we can do.”
Budleigh skipper Joel Murphy is looking forward to his bowlers showing they can cut out the rubbish and give his side the competitive edge they have been lacking.
“We have been bowling too many four balls and not enough dot balls –and the scorer has some very interesting stats to highlight it,” said Murphy.
“Budleigh don’t have a bad side this season, but the line between the top sides and the others is a fine one.
“Right now we are the wrong side of the line and have to be better at what we do to get the right side.”
Harry Stephenson returns for Plymouth in place of Ben Stein, who is unlucky to miss out.
Budleigh welcome back Matt Plowman, who regains his place in the attack from Lloyd Murrin.

JASON Hall is set to resume the captaincy of Cornwood during the absence of Craig Harris.
Harris is out with a shoulder injury sustained playing T20 cricket and will miss tomorrow’s meeting with Bradninch.
Hall was captain before resigning last year after a run in with the Devon League’s discipline committee. He has been missing with a broken finger, but is now fit to return.
I have been told today that my shoulder requires rest three or four weeks rest as all the connecting muscle is torn andme not to play sport,” said Harris.
“Fortunately for the club Jason Hall is returning this week and will cover in my absence for this week initially.”
The Corns haven’t had a great few weeks since winning at Budleigh first out, but have been playing top-half sides.
Bradninch, Torquay and North Devon are at the other end of the table and Harris sees them as chances to pick up points over the next few weeks.
“Now is the time to start getting results as we don't want to be chasing the points in the second half of the season,” said Harris.
“Bradninch haven't had the best start to the season, but they shouldn't be underestimated.
”Any team that goes in to a game complacent in this league will often come out on the bad side of a result - they will be looking at it as a 'win game' and so will we.
“Nothing will be handed to us on the day, so it’s down to us as a unit to work hard together as a team and really grind a result.”
Bradninch skipper Tim Piper feels much the same about Cornwood.
“Cornwood are losing games, losing confidence and missing players - and we are looking forward to playing them.
“Our season started with three of the top four and now we are in a run of games where we can start looking at some decent points.”
Bradninch bring in Matt Jarrett for Chris Acton. Otherwise they are unchanged.