Devon Cricket Board - Confident mood at Torquay for new season

Confident mood at Torquay for new season

IT’S been a permanent struggle for Torquay to stay away from the wrong end of the Premier table since they were promoted back into the top flight in 2012, but 2015 might must be different.
The Seasiders haven’t finished higher than the bottom four and generally reach August looking over their shoulders.
A lot’s gone on at the Recreation Ground over the close season – both on and off the field.
Off the field there are new nets and practice facilities costing £80,000 and a new scorebox as well.
On the field Torquay will have a new-look side this year and, if all goes to plan, they could be top-four material.
The list of newcomers is headed by Ryan Stevenson the fast-bowling all-rounder from Dartington & Totnes, of whom big things are expected.
Batter Tim Piper as arrived from Bradinch, where he topped 300 league runs last season.
Sachintha Galhenage played for A Division side Chudleigh in 2014 after a successful season at home in South Africa for Free State U19s and Grey College.
Although Chudleigh were relegated, Galhenage had a good season for them, scoring more than 400 league runs and taking 22 wickets.
In the last couple of days skipper Justin Yau has added Devon youth players Kazi Szymanski and Matt Petherbridge to the ranks.
With Mitch Pugh (327 runs) back from Australia, and Devon captain Matt Thompson available almost every week, Torquay look a strong proposition on paper.
Yau is confident, but wary of sticking his neck out a bit to far.
“I am not going to predict where we are going to finish up, but we have a good idea in our minds with what we want to achieve this season and we will keep that between ourselves,” said Yau.
“All our new recruits have hit the ground running in training and games.
Tim Piper has looked fantastic in that middle order with three 50 in as many games whilst Ryan Stevenson has bowled with great control and accuracy.
“Kazi and Matt Petherbridge have bowled with great maturity for their age and will provide valuable contributions in the season ahead.
Sachintha looks like a real coup for us – I have no doubt that he will stand up to the challenge of Devon Premier cricket.”
Torquay start with a toughie – away to last season’s runners-up Plymouth – and Yau can’t wait to get started.
“We have been waiting for the first day of the season to arrive for months now,” he said.
“Preparation has been exactly what I wanted it to be like - and we’ve recruited just what we went after too.”
Casting his eye over the division, Yau picked out Exmouth, North Devon and Sidmouth as title contenders.
He added: “If we can continue in the same vein as we finished last season then there is no reason why we cannot be competitive with everyone.”

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