Devon Cricket Board - Premier preview: Torquay welcome Wilson

TORQUAY are poised to parade new signing Callum Wilson in tomorrow’s top-of-the-table Premier clash away to Bradninch.

Wilson, formerly on the academy at Leicesteshire, is studying in Plymouth, where he was quickly discovered by Torquay captain Justin Yau.

Yau describes his latest recruit as a lively bowler – good enough to be used as a net bowler for international touring sides during practice sessions – and a handy batter.

“He has played Leicetershire Premier League cricket since he was 15 years old and we should have him until he goes home at the end of June,” said Yau.

There is a friendly rivalry between Torquay and Bradninch based around the close links forged by player such as Yau and opposite number Gary Chappell while playing age-group cricket for Devon.

Pals they may be, but Yau isn’t blind to the threat Chappell’s men will pose to Torquay’s unbeaten start to the season.

“Bradninch have recruited well over the winter, they have a good team ethic and it will be a bit of a scrap for superiority,” said Yau.

Having beaten Exmouth and Heathcoat so far, Bradninch are joint top of the table with Bovey Tracey. Torquay are two points behind in third.

Skipper Chappell is well clued up on Torquay – he and Yau are in regular contact between matches - and expects more of a test than hitherto,

“We have only played two matches and are not going to get ahead of ourselves,” said Chappell.

“The boys realise we have tougher tests to come.

“We will continue to work hard and have to make sure if we lose a game it won’t be for a lack of effort or preparation. "

Torquay will be our toughest test yet. They are always a very hard-working side with good cricketers and have started the season well.

“In Aqueel Ahmed and Brandon Handley they have two match winners, but like every side they also have their weaknesses which we will try hard to expose and attack.

“We will have to perform well to come away with another win, but we are capable of doing so if the boys continue their early season form.”

Matt Jarrett replaces the unavailable Joe Webb in the Bradninch team. Wilson is a straight swap for the absent Mickey Wilkinson.

BOVEY Tracey captain Peter Bradley believes the serious stuff starts today when his team tangle with Budleigh Salterton at Ottermouth/

Bovey, along with Sidmouth, Bradninch and Torquay, are two from two so far and joint top of the table.

It’s a great start, but that’s all it is according to Bradley.

“No disrespect to either Sandford or Plymouth, but we haven’t played anyone as strong as Budleigh yet,” said Bradley.

“They have recruited well, have some good young players like Plowman, Murrin and Rice coming through – and some old stagers like Bob Dawson and Joel Murphy.

“It will be tight and I doubt it will be that high scoring.”"

Budleigh Salterton skipper Joel Murphy said he was flattered by the compliment and intended to prove Bradley right.

“It’s nice of him to say that, but if recent games against them are anything to go by it will be another close one,” said Murphy.

“Bovey have made a decent start themselves, have some form players and any side with Neil Hancock in has to be taken seriously.”

Former Devon captain Hancock switched to Bovey from Sidmouth this season and Murphy doesn’t want to be the first side to suffer from his destructive batting.

Budleigh bring in Nathan Bright for Howard Rose, but are otherwise unchanged.

Bovey are minus keeper-batter Ben Ayres, but as new boy Matt Laidman has kept wicket for Surrey 2nd XI he is a fair swap!

SIDMOUTH skipper Will Murray isn’t taking too much notice of Plymouth’s sluggish start to the season – played two and lost them both.

The sides square up on the Fortfield tomorrow with Murray intending to show Plymouth every respect.

“Our last few games against Plymouth have been very close and although we have come out on top both could have gone the other way,” said Murray.

“I see that they have lost Charlie Hill to Bovey and that Dave Burke isn’t playing at the moment, which means they are two bowlers down.

“Plymouth remain a potent side though and you underestimate them at your peril.

Plymouth skipper Callum Whittaker is never one to talk down his side’s chances and tomorrow’s game in no exception.

“Looking forward to playing on a decent pitch and playing some good cricket,” said Whittaker.

“Our batters are looking forward to taking on Sidmouth’s attack and I am confident we have the bowling firepower to put them under real pressure.”

Plymouth are unchanged while Sidmouth welcome back opener Anthony Griffiths, who was injured in the pre-match warm-up at Sandford last Saturday.

HEATHCOAT captain Chris Small is quietly confident going into the derby clash against Sandford.

Small’s team may have lost to Bradninch last Saturday, but having started a week late due to bad weather he has written-off that outcome.

“Everyone is felling better just for having a hit out,” said Small.

“Although Sandford gave Sidmouth a scare and look to be playing some decent cricket, if we can execxute our plans slightly better than last week I feel we can take the points.”

Sandford captain Matt Theedom is keeping his plans close to his chest.

Team news is that Mike Durrant replaces Richard Foan, who has returned to Australia after a break back in the ‘mother country’.

EXMOUTH captain Richard Baggs isn’t about to panic despite back-to-back defeats against Bradnich and Torquay.

It’s as you were against visiting North Devon tomorrow, although with a call for a bit more fight.

“It is time for us all to stand up and be counted,” said Baggs.

“We had a good training session on Wednesday night and need to take that into the match.”

North Devon are winless – played two, lost them both – but skipper Matt Dart hasn’t pressed the panic button.

“We should have won at Sidmouth in our first game and the reports I’ve heard say we should have beaten Budleigh as well,” said Dart, who was missing last Saturday.

“Our youngsters are coming on in leaps and bounds, which is great to see and will bode well for the future.”

On Exmouth he added: “They are a strong side all round with quality players.

If we come to the party then we have a great chance of a positive result.

Dart and batters Rob Gear and Dan Bowser all return to a much-strengthened side.