Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division

TORQUAY, who are level on points with Plymouth but above them on bowling points in the scrap to steer clear of the bottom two, are at home to North Devon in a game they need to win.
Justin Yau’s side have gone four weeks without a win, although they were rained off at Budleigh Salterton without a ball bowled and lost at bottom side Heathcoat on run-rate when they only needed one wicket to win.
More than anything it is the batting that is worrying Yau as Torquay’s first season back in the top flight reaches the midway point.
“We haven’t had a lot of luck with the weather, but even so our batting hasn’t been good enough,” said Yau.
“Max Waller has made our only half-century this season, I had a 49 and that’s it.
“Our bowling is on a par with the sides in the top four, but we have to start scoring runs to get up the table.”
All-rounder Matt Hickey comes in for Torquay now he is home for the summer from Cambridge University, where he has played the odd First Class game over the past two seasons.
North Devon need a result after their defeat by leaders Bovey Tracey, but are a bit short handed as batters Rob Gear and Dan Pickard are out.
“It's the wedding and holiday time of year,” bemoaned skipper Matt Dart.
Richard screech and Jason Hayes come in as replacements.
“Having had a poor result last week with what was on paper our strongest side, the will to get a result this week is even stronger,” said Dart.
BUDLEIGH Salterton skipper Joel Murphy has unveiled a three-point plan to get the Ottermouth club away from wrong end of the Premier table.

After last Saturday’s 124-run drubbing at Exmouth, and not helped at all by a two-point deduction for a slow over rate, Budleigh are one off the bottom and 11 points away from safety.

The team Budleigh have to get ahead of to reach safety is Plymouth who, coincidentally, are the visitors to Ottermouth.

Said Murphy: “Firstly we have to bowl more consistently. Exmouth took us for 258 last Saturday on a 170-180 track.

“We need geeing up in the field as there is not enough intensity to our play when we are bowling.

“And we have to start batting as a unit, which means players building partnerships and hanging in there for the 20-30 extra runs that make the difference between winning and losing.

“Basically, we have to bat better, bowl better and field better. That’s all the bases covered.

“This is a crucial game for us – we could be 20-25 points adrift if we don’t win – and the right time to fit all the pieces into place.”

Opposite number Callum Whittaker agrees with Murphy on the significance of the game and feels his side are capable of winning it.

“After we were rained off against Bradninch last week I read their captain words to the effect we couldn’t have won it anyway, which was a bit cheeky,” said Whittaker.

“We haven’t been playing that badly – as North Devon – and it was far too early in the game against Bradninch to say how it would have gone.”

Plymouth bring in Harry Barnes for Matt Hooper, who is at a wedding. Budleigh welcome back batter Jack Dart, seamer Matt Plowman and Lloyd White, so for all practical purposes are at full strength.
Heathcoat skipper Chris Small wouldn’t mind history repeating itself when his bottom-of-the-table team go to leaders Bovey Tracey.
“I am looking forward to testing ourselves against a good cricket side,” said Small.
“We did manage to beat them two out of three times last year and have nothing to lose.”
Jack Menheneott unavailable so former Dorset batter Guy Bucknell comes in.
Sandford, who have a derby date with Bradninch, welcome back George Greed and Neil Bettis, which will strengthen the batting.
Seamer Jamie Palmer out with fractured finger, so Colin Leach comes in from the 2^nd XI.
Ben Clements retains his place in side after making 44 from 22 balls – and putting in an excellent fielding display – against Torquay.
Sidmouth welcome Exmouth to the Fortfield in uncompromising mood for a game they have to win.
Second-placed Exmouth are already 19 points up in third-in-the-table Sidmouth, who trail leaders Bovey by 25 points.
Sidmouth skipper Will Murray wants the Premier title back that North Devon snatched last year and has the strategy to do it.
“After that little run when we lost three games close together, we can’t afford to lose too often from now on,” said Murray.
“It is vital we beat Exmouth as they are above us and a defeat only puts us further behind.
“We have to keep winning so that when Bovey come round the second time our game against them will mean something if we can beat them.”

Murray was quick to pay due respect to Exmouth, adding: “They have some fine players in David Lye, Richard Baggs and Akeal Hosein and you would expect them to do well with the blend of youth, experience and talent they have got.”