McGillivray not only reason Brixham are up there says Pugh

BRIXHAM skipper Andy Pugh isn’t getting carried away by his side’ early season form, which has taken them to second in the table.

Wins over Tavistock, Barton and Lewdown have left Brixham eight points behind leaders Cornwood, who have played half a game more, which was worth a handful of extra points.

Pugh has seen it all before in a 30-year career in the Devon League with Barton, Brixham and a brief spell with Exmouth.

The former Devon and England Board XI batsman knows the real tests are yet to come.

“No disrespect to any of the sides we have played already, but there will be tougher games to come,” said Pugh.

“Bradninch and Budleigh come one after the other, then the week before halfway we face Cornwood.

“It is too early to say too much – and until we get Cornwood out of the way I won’t worry about it too much.

“At the moment we are playing good cricket, winning games and with some strong, senior players in the side there is no real pressure on the youngsters.

“Everyone is enjoying their cricket and happy to take each game as it comes.

The senior player making a big difference this season is South African Matt McGillivray, who plays First Class cricket for Gauteng at home.

Fourteen wickets in three bowls this season have given Brixham a bit of an edge, as Pugh is quick to admit.

“His figures are three for five, six for 34 and five for 21 – he doesn’t bowl a bad ball,” said Pugh,

“If he bowls at a batsman by the end of the over he will tell me how he is going to  get him out – and generally does.

“Batting wise Matt hasn’t got the runs he was expecting, possibly because the conditions are so different to what he is used to.

“He did get 120 in a twenty20 against Torquay in the last round, so I imagine someone is going to suffer sooner or later.”

Pugh said it would be wrong to say Brixham are where they are because of McGillivray as there are plenty of other contributors.

Pugh is getting runs, Josh Hunt had his first half century last Saturday since switching from Torquay, Stuart Edgar is looking good with a bat in his hand and veteran Gary Spencer is taking wickets.


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