BRIXHAM may have crashed out of the Premier Division last season, one win in 18 starts was their record, but it seems their painful experience back in the top flight hasn’t put them off.
Judging from the pre-season signings on their way to Boundary Park, Brixham are hell-bent on going straight back up again.
Brixham gave an early indication they were serious about going back up when they signed former Lewdown batsman Marco Marais.
The South African smashed 1,357 runs at an average of 135.7 for Lewdown in the 2013 B Division season – including a double ton against Alphington and 190 against South Devon.
He returned the following season to play another 10 games and chalk up 465 runs before returning home due to an injury.
The 23-year-old from Cape Province got himself fit and is now a regular in Border’s First Class side at home in South Africa.
Brixham’s next move was for keeper-batter Jason Oaks, who is first choice for Kwa-Zulu Natal provincial side.
A strong 2016-17 season with 371 First Class runs including a personal best 108 against South Western Districts as well as being KZN-Natal’s leading one day run scorer persuaded Brixham to invest in the 22-year old.
More talent was recruited last week when Somerset’s one-day captain Jim Allenby signed to play for Brixham.
Allenby is a genuine all-rounder at First Class level with nearly 8,000 runs and 300 wickets in the book.
Somerset seem to have looked beyond the Perth-born 34 year old when picking four-day sides this season, which may leave Saturdays free.
Andy Pugh, the former Devon and England Three Crowns batter, has passed the captaincy to Lee Upham but remains hands-on as director of cricket.
Pugh is happy with the look of the squad and the acquisition of Allenby in particular.
“We will be very happy to have Jim when he's not available for Somerset,” said Pugh.
“He will bring much-needed experience and help stabilise the club.”
BUDLEIGH Salterton’s promotion credentials are inevitably going to be tested first time out when they visit Brixham.
Former captain Joel Murphy, who is back playing this year after back injury ruled him out of the last month in 2016, said new skipper Trevor Anning has promotion as a target.
Judging from Brixham’s close-season signings, they are determined to bounce back into the Premier Division at the first attempt.
Devon League record breaker Marco Marais - he smashed 1,357 runs at an average of 135.7 for Lewdown in the 2013 B Division season, including a double ton against Alphington – and Natal keeper batter Jason Oaks were the first signings.
And Somerset’s one-day skipper James Allenby has also signed for Brixham, which gives them a batting line-up to envy.
So Brixham away first game will be hard, but if Budleigh are going to achieve their aims they can’t shy away from tough challenges.
“We have been third every year for the last three seasons and it really is time we went back up,” said Murphy.
Budleigh still have the services of Somerset’s Max Waller when available and hope to see a bit more of him in 2017. He played nine games last season, averaging 40-plus with the bat and took 18 wickets at around 15 each.
Matt Junk, the Aussie left-armer who took 25 wickets and topped 300 league runs, is also back.
Nic Bolt has switched from Exmouth where he was 2nd XI captain last season.
Veteran Neil Murrin, a former 1st XI captain, has returned from Alphington and may well have a role to play at the top of the order.
Medium pacer Luke Jefferson has come across from Whimple and may get an early chance to impress.
Murphy is keen to see youngsters Ben Phillips, the Doble brothers and Syd Fereday turn their obvious potential into match-winning performances.
