- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
A DIVISION
NEW South Devon skipper Adrian Hewings is well aware there could be testing times ahead for his side on their return to the A Division after an absence of two years.
Relegation in 2010 was followed by promotion last season as runners up behind Plymstock.
South Devon made a habit of dodging relegation from the A Division the last time they were there, although it was a close-run thing at times.
With no major new signings – and no Pete Vorster who topped 500 runs and took 40 wickets – there will be plenty of work to go round.
Said Hewings: “Last season was good as we played winning cricket and got into the habit.
“I would like to see us continue playing that way, but the A Division is going to be harder. We will need some of the gritty application which kept us up before if we want to stay away from trouble.”
English-qualified Tom Carter, who topped 600 runs last season, is over from New Zealand for another summer and will form the backbone of the batting.
Ali Wright, a former colt, has returned from Bristol and adds a new batting and spin bowling dimension.
Seamer Charith Jayaweera from Sri Lanka is due any day now - hopefully in time for the match against Paignton at Queens Park this Saturday.
Other new arrivals are Richard Beaumont, who bats, and left-armer Max Ellis from Cockington.
Batter David Baldock have moved on to Thorverton.
PAIGNTON bounced straight back into the Premier Division last time they were relegated in 2009 – and a fat lot of good it did them!
Two seasons back in the top flight yielded just five wins in total and none at all in 2011, which is why Paignton finished a staggering 96 points adrift at the bottom of the table.
Andy Kingdon, player-coach who barely played due to injury last season, has taken over as captain from Seb Benton and is somewhat measured in his thoughts on the season ahead.
Kingdon would like to bring Premier cricket back to Queens Park, but maybe not too soon.
“Our all-round cricket was awful last season and you can’t sort that out in five minutes,” said Kingdon.
“There are good young player coming through, such as George Benton, Ollie Higgs and Conor Bryan, but we are probably a year away from being ready to go back up.
“I think we will be a lot more competitive this season. I can play, Seb is looking good in the nets and we have a useful overseas player in Brady Barens.
“Brady is playing regular First Class cricket at home in South Africa and taking wickets and isn’t here for a holiday.”
Former captain Mike Pedley has recommitted to the cause for another year, but one era is coming to an end.
Justin Mann, another ex-skipper, has indicated he would like to play 2nd XI cricket in future, which means Simon Mantell gets his chance to keep wicket in the 1sts.
“Justin has been a tremendous clubman for 15 or 16 years and I suspect we will have to call on him occasionally in the first team this summer,” said Kingdon.