Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division: North Devon can wrap up title

PREMIER DIVISION

SIDMOUTH skipper Will Murray has written off Devon captain Neil Hancock for tomorrow’s derby clash with Budleigh Salterton, but not the rest of the season.

Hancock suffered a broken nose in the game against Exmouth last Saturday and is hoping to have an operation this weekend to straighten it out.

At first it seemed Hanks was out for the duration, but he has been telling Murray that is not the case.

“Neil would play against Budleigh if he could and only the prospect of an operation is going to stop him,” said Murray.

“I won’t surprise me in the slightest if he is back for our last two league games, and the Devon Cup final as well.”

Both sides can still catch North Devon if they have some luck in the race for the Premier title, so Budleigh skipper Sandy Allen believes there will be an extra edge to proceedings at Ottermouth.

“It’s normally a big game against Sidmouth and this will be no different as we both need to win to keep our slight chance of catching North Devon alive,” said Allen.

“They have a strong team and it will be up to us to perform at our best to come away from the game with some points.

James Hudson, Greg Marks and Matt Sutcliffe, who has returned to South Africa, are all missing from Budleigh’s side. The Murrins – Lloyd and Norm - and Aaron Conway are in.

HEATHCOAT captain Liam Lewis said his side have to improve or face the consequences when they make the short trip to leaders North Devon tomorrow.

Losing to Bradninch last time out left Heathcoat 10 points adrift in the bottom two.

Lewis’s survival target is two wins and a draw, but they won’t get them unless they buck up.

“We have to improve our bowling from last week, or we will get stuffed,” said Lewis.

“They have got the best attack in the league by quite some distance, so we will have to be on top form to get any kind of positive result.

One of our top three has to bat through for at least 35 to 40 overs, not use up balls getting in then getting out for 15-20.”

Seamer Matt Hague is unavailable as he has had a knee operation and Tom Frankpitt is on holiday. Joe wadham is recalled after taking six wickets in the 2nd XI.

Gwynne Jones, North Devon’s director of cricket, said the title could be on it’s way to Instow if his side beat Heathcoat.

Jones has done the sums and worked out that the figures are stacked in North Devon’s favour.

“If we win against Heathcoat then either Sidmouth or Budleigh, who play each other, will need nothing but maximum points for one of them to prevent us going on to capture the premier title for only the second time in our history,” said Jones.

“The call will be to keep focused, positive and take responsibility and make it happen again against Heathcoat.”

North Devon’s success this season has been built around performances thoughout the side, not just one or two players doing all the work.

Jones said there are drawbacks to producing quality players though when the First Class counties attach themselves to your players, such as Somerset and the Overton twins.

“Each week we have a couple of players who hold up their hands, take responsibility and put in match winning performances. Glenn Querl has been outstanding but Rob Gear, Matt Westerway, the Overton twins and Neil Bettis have been there when needed.

“Jamie Overton could have another total ban from bowling again this week - we are hoping he can give us at least six overs - the price we and other successful clubs in Devon pay for producing excellence with little or no return except recognition that our development system is working well.”

BOVEY Tracey captain Peter Bradley has set his sights on stealing second spot in the last four games.

Bovey shouldn’t have too many problems tomorrow against relegation certainties Paigntin when the visit the Recereation Ground.

Heathcoat, Budleigh and Sidmouth in the last three will be tougher, but as Budleigh and Sidmouth are double-pointers there is scope for a surge up the table.

“We finished fourth two years ago and third last season so second is something to aim for as it is another improvement,” said Bradley.

“If we can get good points from Paignton and Heathcoat, then we are in with a chance.”

Bradley said win, lose or draw, Bovey will carry on playing the way they have all season in a positive way.

We will be going out to win all games in a positive fun manner. Just like we have all season. We never look for a draw, which sis why we have only had one this season,” said Bradley.

“Last week (North Devon), we decided to play our shots.from ball one and it didn't come off.

“But at least we had ago and we had fun doing it. Not many teams can say that when they have played North Devon.”

For Paignton it is all about pride now, as player-coach Andy Kingdon admitted.
“It would be nice to get a win at some point. We know Bovey have a strong side and have some good players so will have to play well to get anything from the game.”
EXMOUTH will be without skipper Richard Baggs for a double weekend of league and cup action

Baggs is having a minor operation on an elbow today, which will rule him out of tomorrow’s game against Plympton and the Sunday trip to Cornwood for the Devon T20 finals.

Andy Buzza will skipper the side in Baggs’ absence with ex-Devon captain Nick Folland coming in to fill the gap in the batting order.

Plympton have netted 37 from a possible 40 points in their previous two Premier Division outings, which has recharged their fight against relegation.

Plympton secured 20 points from their match with bottom-placed, A Division-bound Paignton and last week added to their fighting fund with a 'brilliant win' over city rivals Plymouth.

But skipper Andy Walter and Plympton know that with 80 points left to play for in their remaining matches, they cannot afford to take their foot off the accelerator.

For Walter, points are a priority, as is not losing at Exmouth. He will also hope the form book is upheld and leaders North Devon defeat Heathcoat tomorrow.

"Heathcoat can still catch us, but we've got to play them, so that's in our favour, plus they've got North Devon tomorrow, which won't be easy.

"But now our fate is in our own hands, that's the important factor – not what those around us are doing."

Plympton make one change to their line-up with work commitments preventing Dave Wrench from playing. Chris Bunney replaces him.

PLYMOUTH will be keen to make up for last week's disappointment by taking out their frustration on host club Bradninch tomorrow (1pm).

Skipper Callum Whittaker (pictured in action last Saturday) considers the narrow Premier Division loss to Plympton exemplifies the city side's problems this season.

"We've under-performed big-time with the bat and that's why we're only mid-table," said Whittaker, whose team are unchanged for the east Devon trip.

"We need to step up to the plate and make a big score, as otherwise we're not giving our bowlers anything to aim at.

"We need to make regular scores of 200 and more. Given the quality in our team we should be.