- 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
CORNWOOD have chosen to break with their long-standing tradition and invite an English pro to join their ranks for 2014 season.
Former Middlesex, Gloucestershire and Unicorns batsman Jackson Thompson (below) will be strengthening the line-up after making a move across from relegated Premier side Bradninch.
Thompson’s DCL record speaks for itself after setting the Premier division on fire with some prolific batting performances in 2013, which included breaking the record for the highest individual Premier division innings, scoring a massive 222 against Budleigh Salterton.
Nick Goodliffe, Cornwood development officer has been working closely with new club captain Jason Hall and a few senior players on recruitment.
Goodliffe said there were sound reasons for getting a recognised player in rather than going down the overseas route.
“Going down the overseas professional player path has become increasingly expensive year on year,” said Goodliffe.
“Pakistani all-rounder Asif Raza was our club pro last season and he did us proud on many occasions throughout the season, but we’ve decided to try something different for 2014.
“Jackson is an exciting, dynamic cricketer who plays a naturally aggressive game and we felt he would complement our 1st XI team, and help us to get off to good starts in matches, thus easing the pressure on our other top-order batsmen.”
Cornwood also spotted some likely talent when they played South African tourists Futura Sports last summer and have snapped up 19-year-old all-rounder Byron Langley (below) as an amateur player for the 2014 season.
“We were instantly impressed with Byron’s accurate pace bowling, which had our top order reeling at one stage,” said Goodliffe.
“After some recent negotiations with his team manger in South Africa we have reached a fantastic agreement that will enable Byron to improve his all-round game, being challenged by the best cricketers in the county.”
Langley plays his club cricket for Berea Rovers CC in the Kwazulu-Natal province Durban Premier Cricket Division.
He is already making plans for his return to Devon.
“Being chosen to be an amateur in the Cornwood team next year is an exciting venture for me and I will always strive to give my best,” he said.
“I cannot wait to learn what I can from being a regular in the side and the tradition of cricket in England as a whole. What a pleasure!”
Patrick Steytler is the director of cricket at Rovers and knows the Devon scene well having had two stints with Brixham.
Steytler is confident Langley will perform for Cornwood in the Premier Division.
“He is solid in all departments of the game and adds value as a brilliant fielder with a strong arm, a bowler who can get the big wickets when it counts and also smash the ball around when needed,” said Steytler.
“This is an opportunity that could benefit him massively as a cricketer.”
Goodliffe said the double signings show Cornwood are serious about establishing themselves in the top flight after a testing first season back in 2013.
He added: “It is hoped we can secure a few other local, strategic captures during the remainder of the winter period to achieve that goal.
“Last season we struggled with strength in depth, resulting in our 2nd XI getting relegated.
“We know we need to add some new players at the top end of the club to create healthy competition for places.
“With a stronger 2nd XI team the whole club structure becomes stronger and that can only be positive”.
Cornwood won’t hesitate to bring in young, promising players if it’s thought that they are ready for the challenge. Last season they regularly fielded seven or eight first team players, who had developed through their own colts.
Among those to catch the eye were exciting prospect Matthew Skeemer who, in his first season, adjusted to the cut and thrust of Premier cricket admirably.