Devon Cricket Board - Sidmouth skipper looking for second unbeaten Premjer title

Sidmouth skipper looking for second unbeaten Premjer title

SIDMOUTH skipper Will Murray has reiterated his aim to win the Premier title unbeaten this season.
Sidmouth’s 52-point lead over second-placed Exmouth has them installed as short priced favourites to regain the title they held in 2012.
The Fortfield side have won four titles since 2008 – but have never got through a Premier season unbeaten.
So the grand slam is tempting for Murray as the icing on the cake.
“Of course we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves as we haven’t won anything yet,” said Murray, whose team visit Cornwood tomorrow.
“But to win the Premier unbeaten would be quite an achievement – we did it in 2009 and would like to repeat that.”
Sidmouth have got some way to go before they match Exeter's achievement of winning three unbeaten titles in 1975, 1979 and 2000.
Torquay went through the long, hot summer of 1976 without losing any of the 24 league games they played.
Torquay batsmen dominated the averages that season, topped by Gary Wallen (557 @ 55.70) and followed by Dave Traylor (668 @ 39.29), Barrie Matthews (628 @ 39.25) and the late Ray Tolchard (440 @ 36.66). Wallen is pictured left and Matthews right.
The Seasiders did it again in 1996 when then won the Premier title in a 22-gam e season.
Back in the present, Sidmouth are without Anthony Griffiths and Adam Dibble tomorrow so Matt Hewer step up from the 2nd XI.
PLYMOUTH skipper Matt Hooper is just a little wary of lowly Sandford ahead of the meeting at Mount Wise.
“We saw Sandford had a good result against Cornwood last weekend so we know they will be looking to make it two from two,” said Hooper, whose side won by 60 runs at Torquay.
“However, we put in a really good performance against Torquay so I am expecting another one.
“Our batters are starting to look dangerous, with quite a few of them looking like they are going to get big scores.
“I am just looking for the same again although when we are on top we need to kill the game off.
“Our bowling and fielding needs to be for the full 50 overs rather than the first 15 so that is one thing we'll be looking to work on.”
Hooper is probably right to be apprehensive as Sandford got a lift from their win over Cornwood.
“I am expecting a tough game away to Plymouth,who have proved to be one of the stronger teams this season,” said captain Jamie Palmer.
“We pushed them at our place earlier in the season and after lasts week’s result we can go there in a positive frame of mind.”
Richard Tucker and Adrian Small are away, so in come Rory Millar and Scott Tremain.
TORQUAY travel to North Devon looking to bounce back from their defeat byPlymouth.
Skipper Justin Yau names an unchanged team, which means Somerset have not released Max Waller to play.
“We are looking forward to playing at North Devon - it always plays well there and it will no doubt be a good challenge for our boys,” said Yau.
IT’S all quite on the team news front from Bovey Tracey, who host Exmouth.
Exmouth welcome back batter Seb Benton, who takes the place of Lawrence Greenway in the side.
EXETER have dropped George Greenway for their meeting with Heathcoat at Knightshayes.
Greenway hasn’t done anything wrong, but is left out for tactical reasons.
“George Greenway goes down to the 2nd XI, which is very tough on him as he has been brilliant for us this season,” said skipper Miles Lenygon.
“We are going with three spinners in Gribble, Bess and Viljoen, which we feel will give us the best chance of victory in the conditions at Heathcoat.”
Pacemen Ollie Sale comes into the side now his school cricket commitments are over.

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