PLYMSTOCK, back in the A Division for the first time since 2013, get started with a trip to Plympton.

Having finished third in the B Division in 2015, it was only a matter of tine before Plymstock got back up.

Jack Horton’s 755 runs at an average in the 60s, aided an abetted by Bronte Bess with 460 league runs and 19 league wickets, made it a straightforward affair for Plymstock to win the division.

Bess is back from the West Indies for another season and Plymsock have a second Horton on board too, Bowling all-rounder Chris Horton as come over from Cornwood.

There have been Hortons associated with Cornwood since 1949 when Bill – Chris’ grandfather – was one of the founder members. This will be the first year a Horton family member isn’t part of the club.

A useful signing is former Chudleigh seamer Matt Ball, who has moved to the Plymouth area with his job.

Charles Martin, a spin bowler who has been playing social cricket with Philanthropists, is taking it a bit more seriously this year.

Martin played Devon age-group cricket with Plymstock’s James Nicholls and Plympton’s David Wrench in the under-15 side of 2004.

Plymstock won the B Division by a distance, but skipper Scott Mansfield accepts the A Division is a lot tougher.

"We are under no illusions that this year will be much tougher than last year, but it's one everyone is looking forward to,” said Mansfield.

PLYMPTON have a new captain for the sixth season running now Craig Donohue has taken the helm.

Dan Robotham, who was last season’s captain, has left the club for pastures new wit Tideford in Cornwall.

The new captain is hoping to usher in a period if stability at the club, which has been stuck in the A Division since relegation from the Premier in 2015.

Consistency of selection would help as Plympton used 23 players in the league last season. Promoted Paignton had a tight squad of 16.

“We seem to have got a squad together of 15-20, all of whom can do a job in the first team,” said Donohue.

“You expect players not to be available every week, but I hope we can be a bit more settled.

“Our aim is to play clever cricket and take advantage of playing at home.”

Robotham and Josh Mailling (Bovey Tracey) have gone while Jeremy Williams will only appear in emergencies.

The new overseas player replacing Imran Ali Pasha – 45 wickets, 430 runs – is South African keeper-batter Justin Wubbeling from the Western Cape.

Donohue is making no predictions about the season ahead, other than Plympton want to enjoy their cricket.

“Let’s see how we have done after we have played everyone once,” said Donohue.