Devon Cricket Board - Where has all the backbone gone asks Pugh

Where has all the backbone gone asks Pugh

BRIXHAM skipper Andy Pugh questioned the desire of some of his players - and other teams’ as well - after the crushing seven-wicket defeat by Paignton.
Pugh was a frustrated spectator due to injury as Brixham slid to 128 all out with Mike Meech (49) top scoring against his former club.
Paignton opener Zubyar Hamza got on with it, batting through for an unbeaten 83 to clinch victory inside 30 overs.
There was talk of Brixham being promotion contenders at the start of the season, not that Pugh was saying much on the subject.
With seven games to play Brixham are mathematically closer to second bottom than second from top, which worries the Brixham skipper.
“There seems to be too much reliance at most clubs on one or two players, normally an overseas and one other like Shaun Needham at Barton,” said Pugh.
“If the star players don’t come off teams can be in trouble.
“Young players don’t seem to have the backbone for the fight anymore – and losing doesn’t seem to bother them that much.
“If you ask all the other captains in the A Division how many of them want to be in the Premier next year, maybe one or two would say ‘yes’ to that.
“Most of them know going up with the sides the have got would be a disaster waiting to happen.”
Meech, who went in at 44 for four, was ninth out on 128 to Hamza the partnership breaker.
Hamza was employed for an over to split up Meech and Lee Upham, whose ninth-wicket stand of 29 was Brixham’s best.
Among the regular bowlers there were two wickets each for Miko Esktrom, Rob Shergold and Dan Wolf.
Hamza and Ollie Higgs (25) broke the back of the chase.
Paignton are now up to second with a derby date against Abbotskerswell on the horizon.
Brixham entertain Hatherleigh looking to get out of the bottom half of the table.

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