Devon Cricket Board - Sidmouth & North Devon

Sidmouth & North Devon

PREMIER DIVISION
SIDMOUTH could be worth a fiver on the nose to win the Premier Division this season, not that the odds will be that good!
Having won back-to-back titles in 2008, 09 and 10, Sidmouth trailed home second behind North Devon last term.
With North Devon in a state of flux this season – five players have left and no one notable recruited – the title is more than a one-horse race.
Sidmouth skipper Will Murray (left) fancies Bovey Tracey and Exmouth, but says his men should be in with a shout.
“I like the idea of 50-over win-or-lose cricket as it should suit the way we play,” said Murray.
“Ours isn’t a side with blow-you-away bowlers in it, but one that contains sides.
“Our bowling and batting have done us well in T20 and the 40-over Devon Cup and those skills are transferable.
“Perhaps we need to be a bit more aggressive and put teams under pressure. Last season we lost games we should have won for exactly that reason.”
Although talisman all-rounder Neil Hancock has departed for Bovey Tracey, with thanks and good wishes from all at Sidmouth, there has been plenty of traffic into the Fortfield since last September.
Liam Lewis and Peter Randerson have arrived from Heathcoat and the new overseas player is Kiwi batter Sam Anderson.
Murray is tipping Will Gater and the two younger Bess brothers – Zac and Luke – to feature among the match-winning performers this term.

NORTH Devon’s new captain Matt Dart feels retaining the Premier title won is going to be a tall order for his club.
When Dart, who has taken over from Mike Hedden, looks around the dressing room this season a lot of familiar faces will be missing.
Batter Neil Bettis has returned to Sandford, fellow spinner Max Curtis has gone to Exmouth, Hedden has ruled himself out for most of the season due to personal commitments and the odds on seeing either of the Overton twins are remote.
These days North Devon are well down the pecking order behind England U19s and Somerset in the queue for the twins’ services.
New arrivals for the 1^st XI are non-existent, which means looking from within for replacements.
Dart, who didn’t play last season, will bowl Curtis’s overs and a few more besides and Rob Gear can expect to turn his arm over a little more often as well.
Paul Heard, an up and comer, will get to share the new-ball with Glenn Querl at the start of the season, which opens with a trip to Sidmouth tomorrow.
Captains are supposed to be confident at this time of year, but Dart is also a realist.
“When you lose five of your side from the previous season it makes things tough for you,” said Dart.
“It could have been worse as we looked like losing Matt Westaway to Barnstaple & Pilton at one stage, but he decided he isn’t ready to return to the B Division just yet.
“Any games we get from the Overtons will be a bonus, but we have to feel pleased we have helped them on their way into the First Class game.

“It is going to be a tough season ahead, but we have enough good cricketers at Instow to be competitive.”

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