Pickard takes over as first team skipper at Honiton

Plenty to talk about at Honiton, where two new skippers have been appointed

HONITON voted in new captains for their first and second teams during the club’s annual meeting.

Adam Holmes stood down at the end of last season as first team skipper after steering the side to promotion from the Tolchards DCL E Division East.

James Pickard, the former Sidmouth batsman who joined Honiton midway through last season, is the new man at the 1st XI helm.

Adam Holmes, who has stood down as Honiton captain after leading the side to promotionThe 2nd XI will also be under new leadership following long-standing skipper Andrew Lapping's retirement from the role. He has been a captain of one or the other sides for the past 17 seasons.

Vice-captain Jon Hext has taken over the reins and will be looking to build on the strong finish to the 2018 season that took the team clear of the relegation places.

Lapping will continue as chairman, a job he has held for the past six years.

During Lapping’s time as chairman the club has become financially stable and invested time and money in improving facilities. A youth section is now up and running.

Looking back on the summer of 2018, Lapping said on and off the field it had to be judged a success.

"Last season we managed to reach our targets for the season, and in the case of the 1st team they exceeded those,” said Lapping.

“It's nice to see that all our efforts getting the club in great shape off the field are starting to spread into the players and performances on the pitch.”

It is more than a decade since Honiton 1st XI last won a promotion. Lapping said Holmes’ achievement getting the team up deserved recognising.

“It was a difficult year selecting sides,” said Lapping.

“As clubs across many sports seem to find these days, times have changed and people are rarely available for selection for the whole summer.

“We are very fortunate to have a large squad of players and are grateful to each and everyone of them. Whether they play one or multiple games, they are valued the same.

“Adam Holmes deserves a special mention for his efforts running the side last season and leading them to their first title since 2010.”

Honiton’s won the pre-regionalisation F Division in 2010 and were promoted as E Division runners-up the following season. They dropped down a division at the end of the 2014 summer.Honiton's Ian Kelly (right) receiving the Tolchards DCL E Division East champions trophy from league sponsor Jim Mardell

Pickard, the new 1st XI captain, went through the youth ranks at Sidmouth and was bowling in the 1st XI until 2007.  He switched to golf, working on the professional staff at Sidmouth GC, and only had brief flirtation with cricket again in 2014 when old friend Nick Gingell led Sidmouth 2nd XI.

A change of job allowed Pickard to return to cricket last summer and he played half a season in the second team. A century against Clyst Hydon was his highlight.

Pickard said Holmes would be a tough act to follow, but he would aim to do his best.

“It is a shame Adam has stepped down but, hopefully, I can fill his shoes just a little,” said Pickard.

The aim of the season is to keep people enjoying their cricket. If I can make that happen then there is no reason we can’t go up again.

“I only played in the 2nd XI last season as I wanted to ease my way into the club. I wouldn’t call this easing my way in by any means, but I'm excited for the challenge and to see where this club can go.”

Hext, the new 2nd XI captain, said: “I will be looking to follow up on the good work my predecessor did with the side, and look to build on our strong second half of last season.

“We will aim to be competing at the business end of the table in 2019.

“The club is ever improving its player base and this will help provide competition for places.”

The club will be once again be supported by main Sponsors MKM Building supplies. Other valued supporters and sponsors include Combe Estate, Blamphayne Sawmills, Norcott Cider, Devon Tiles, AWP, Axminster MOT Centre, Honiton Golf Club, Porkies The Family Butchers, The Golf Cave, Vale Veterinary Group.