Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division previews

SIDMOUTH skipper Will Murray wants to see standards maintained when his side visit Torquay tomorrow.
Cornwood were defeated by 153 runs last time out – Liam Lewis and Josh Bess scoring a ton each – and Murray wants more of the same.
“I don’t expect Liam and Josh to score tons every week, but I did want to see the same sort of professional performance we put in against Cornwood,” said Murray.
“If we do that I am confident we can repeat the dose.”
Dan Powell (right) stays in the team for the departed Zac Bess, who has joined Exeter.
Torquay won’t have Somerset’s Max Waller against Sidmouth as he is on T20 duty tonight and on Sunday.
NORTH Devon have defended themselves against accusations of ‘sharp practice’ after putting four 1st XI players in their second team against Paignton last Saturday.
Current 1st XI skipper Matt Westaway along with predecessors Matt Dart and Rob Ayre all stepped in to play for the seconds in a 53-run win over Paignton.
Ed Yeo, who played in the 1st XI against Exeter the previous week, opened the batting and blasted 80.
All four were unexpectedly available as North Devon’s 1st XI game at Torquay was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Tim Ward, the Paignton captain, accused North Devon of ‘sharp practice’ by artificially strengthening their team.
Stuart Munday, the Devon League chairman, said he felt North Devon had gone against the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ and he would raise the issue at the next meeting of Premier captains.
Westaway said he and the other three players only turned out because North Devon 2nd and 3rd XI were short of players last Saturday.
“First of all, no one was kicked out of any sides to make room for me, Rob, Matt or Ed,” said Westaway (below).
“Matt Dart went down to the ground on Saturday morning and saw that the 2nd and 3rd XIs only had nine players each.
“He put a message out looking for players, which was picked up by Ed Yeo.
“I was having a Wetherspoons breakfast in Bideford with Rob and a couple of the lads, who weren’t going to play as they were on a 21st Birthday outing.
“We said we would help out, we rushed around sorting out kit and Scott Amos (2nd XI captain) sorted out the teams. Craig Overton was around, but he chose not to play.”
Westaway said he found Paignton’s reaction a little puzzling.
“After all it is the Premier 2nd XI cricket and you should expect to run into strong players at that standard,” said Westaway.
EXMOUTH skipper Richard Baggs said tomorrow’s trip to Sandford will bring back many happy memories if his time there.
Baggs led Sandford to an A Division title, two Premier crowns and a couple of Devon Cups before leaving Creedy Park to return to Exmouth.
It’s quite a record and one Baggs has already started replicating at the Maer with an A Division title, a Premier Crown and a Devon Cup.
Baggs is Exmouth through and through – it’s where he started before going on a tour of the Premier Division with Exeter, Budleigh Salterton and finally Sandford – and probably where he will finish.
Baggs said there are some parallels between the two clubs, but plenty of differences as well.
“They are both great clubs and I have been fortunate to be part of their successes,” said Baggs.
“Sandford is a village club with massive support from the local community and when I was there every game was sponsored by local people.
“There was no expectation we that we would achieve anything at all.
“When we got promoted and Neil Bettis arrived expectations rose a bit, but no one expected to win the Premier Division in our first year up, which we did.
“Exmouth is a big club – and I don’t mean that disparagingly – with a different mentality.
“As a town club it draws players and supporters from a wider area – and there is an expectation the club will win things.
“When I went back there we got relegated with a poor side and had to rebuild, which took a couple of years.
“Since then we have been getting stronger and stronger – indeed I have just made our first signing for 2015, an opening bowler who is coming this way and likes the look of what we do.
“It would be nice to think I can repeat the success we had at Sandford at Exmouth. Certianly, we have a lot of the right things in place.
“Our team spirit is excellent – just as it was at Sandford – and we have a young and talented side.
“Only myself and Matt Webb are over 35. He’s super fit and I am not finished just yet.
“One thing I would like to do if possible is enjoy some success in the T20 competitions. It is an area Exmouth haven’t done too well at.”
For Sandford, keeper Chris Blake is back so Scott Tremain misses out.
“The next two games are going to be really tough,” said captain Jamie Palmer.
“We know how good Exmouth are and getting as many points as possible will be our main aim.”
BOVEY Tracey will be unchanged for their meeting with Exeter despite going into the game on the back of two defeats.
Sidmouth and Exmouth have already turned Bovey over and skipper Andy Fairbairn claims it isn’t getting any easier.
“We are in the middle of the toughest start to the season possible,” said Fairbairn.
“We have Exeter and North Devon in our next two and we know that both will be a massive test.
“We have a plethora of talented batters and bowlers and I need to start getting the best out of the team collectively.
“Maybe I was a bit too attacking in the field against Exmouth?
“When we batted, Exmouth had sweepers out from the first over and that made it hard for us to get near their total, Which was experienced captaincy from Richard Baggs.
“The weather looks good and we can't wait to get on the pitch again on Saturday.”
Exeter skipper Miles Lenygon has seen Bovey’s results and isn’t paying too much attention.
“It will be a very tough game, despite Bovey’s first two results,” said Lenygon.
“With their squad I expect Bovey to be in contention for the league come the last few games of the season.
“We took confidence from last Saturday but Bovey away is a totally different challenge.
“|It will be a good test to see where we compare to the top teams.”

CORNWOOD Skipper Jason Hall keeps faith in the side that took a heavy beating at Sidmouth last weekend for the meeting with Heathcoat at Oak Park.

Despite selection being particularly difficult this week, with there being a few excellent options, Hall in conjunction with the selection committee, decided that it would be a little reactionary to start making changes to the team that performed well against Sandford on the first weekend.

“Saturday’s fixture with Heathcoat will be a good gauge on how we can bounce back from a humbling defeat and play with the capability and desire, that we know exists within our squad,” said Nick Goodliffe, who chairs the selectors.

“It will be a good test of character for our generally young squad at an early stage in the season and if effort in training is anything to go by, the lads are ready to rise to the challenge.

“The two teams are well matched up, with one win and one defeat from their first two matches, which should add an extra sparkle to the fixture, even at this early stage.”

PLYMOUTH put their 100 per cent record on the line against visiting North Devon, looking to make it three wins on the spin.
Torquay were dispatched on the opening day of the season, followed by Sandford last time out.
North Devon will be a tougher proposition to crack than Torquay or Sandford, as skipper Matt Hooper readily admits
“North Devon have a great record in the DPL over recent seasons so we know we are in for a tough match.
“They have a strong team with a good mix of experience and youth, they are similar to us in that sense so I am sure it will be a good game.
“We are two from two and we hope to maintain our 100 per cent record.”
Hamish Gardiner is on T20 duty with Scotland so won’t feature. Dave Burke returns after missing last Saturday’s win at Sandford.
North Devon have yet to finalise their side, although the likelihood is that Aussie newcomer Jack Pudney will make his debut.
The South Australia U19 pacer was due to arrive in the UK this morning and, subject to jet lag, will play at Mount Wise.
Ed Yeo isn’t available, but Neil Bettis and Barney Huxtable both reappear after a weekend off.
Meanwhile, North Devon batsman Dan Bowser has had a long-awaited knee operation in the past few days and hopes to be playing again within six-eight weeks.