Devon Cricket Board - Ivybridge add second Sri Lankan + Tavvy sign WP paceman

Ivybridge add second Sri Lankan + Tavvy sign WP paceman

DON’T rule Ivybridge out as promotion contenders, despite a note of caution from captain Gareth Andrews.
The Bridge finished fourth last year and anything lower than that would be a huge disappointment.
Ivybridge look stronger this summer with Sri Lankan category 3E batman and off-spinner Ramesh Perera on board, as well as countryman Jeewan daSilva, who hammered 1000-plus runs last season and took 36 wickets.
Seamer James Bullock is available all season – he was intermittant in 2014 – which only strengthens the side.
Andrews is expecting big things from youngsters Harry Soloman and Adam Huxtable this year.
Whether Ivybriege have enough firepower to go up remains to be seen.
“We want A Division cricket, but not necessarily straight away,” said Andrews, who knows all about the A Division from his time at South Devon.
“The A is our aim, but we need to be a goid B Division side first.”
IF Tavistock live up to skipper Shaun Daymond’s expectations they should be promoted this season.
But if they repeat the mistakes of 2013, another opportunity to get back in the A Division could slip away.
“The first few week will be a bit tight as one or two lads have exams, but after that we will have a better side than last season,” said Dymond.
“We fnished third last season and with what we’ve got should be one of the best teams. But we have to be consistent.
“Lewdown ran away with our division, but we beat them twice. No one else beat them all season.
“We could beat the best, but then lost crucial games at crucial points. Get that right and we have a good chance.”
South African Travis Muller, who took 40 wickets at less than 11 each last season, has joined Horsham.
His replacement is up-and-coming Western Province paeman Thokozani Peter, who will take the new ball.

NEWLY promoted Ivybridge have suffered a blow on the eve of the new season.

Robbie Prior’s 31 wickets at 10.8 each helped Axminster to promotion, but he won’t be in at the start of the campaign.

“Robbie suffered a knee injury during football season and has just undergone keyhole surgery on both knees, so we've lost our main strike bowler for what might be the season,” said skipper Tristan Wakeley.

Young 2nd XI bowler Dan Fuzzard will get a season with the firsts.

Prior remains confident in his side’s ability, so long as they turn up.

“If people make themselves available all season, and perform on match days, I expect mid table,” he said.

“On paper we have a stronger team than the 2012 side that was relegated from the B, so I hope to stay away from that scenario.”

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