SEATON are back in the B Division for the first time in a decade and keen to stay a bit longer than the last time.
The last time Seaton were at level three was back in 2007 when they were relegated with just two wins to their name.
It was a tough time for all at Court Lane as the 1st XI were in freefall. They were relegated from the Premier Division in 2005 and went straight through the A and B Division into the C Division, before dropping into the D Division in 2011.
It has been a long slog back.
Skipper Ben Morgan, in charge since 2011, recognises the squad needed strengthening for B Division cricket and has gone out and found some batters.
Matt Hewer, who was a member of the 2007 side, has returned after six seasons with Sidmouth. He went out on a high with a winner’s medal in the Devon Cup final.
Hewer keeps and bats, but will probably do more of the latter this season as Morgan has also recruited keeper-batter Josh Cann.
Cann, most recently with Bradninch, is looking to settle down after a doing the rounds from Feniton to Sandford then Bradninch and now Seaton in the past three years.
Dad Brian is already at Court Lane and forms part of a strong top five that includes Joel Seward and Steve Pritchard plus Hewer and Cann junior.
A blow for Seaton is that Morgan is unlikely to bowl this season due to a shoulder injury. That’s 17 wickets lost.
Seaton’s first game back in the B Division is away to Abbotskerswell, a side they have not played in the league since 2004.
Ashley Caddy made a top score of 78 for Seaton in the drawn game at Two Mile Oak in May.
Seaton romped to a 110-run win in the July rematch at home – Raul East (44), Andy Cottam (44) and Arul Suppiah (35) among the runs.
ABBOTSKERSWELL square up to fellow new boys Seaton in Saturday’s B Division opener at Two Mile Oak.
Last season’s C Division West champions meet their East counterparts in good form after a winning pre-season.
“With four wins from four games and players making runs we are looking forward to Seaton on Saturday,” said skipper Charlie Hill.
“With much the same squad to pick from, I am looking to carry on our success from last year
“I expecting to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.”
Abbots have re-signed batter James Fulner from Chagford but lost all-rounder Tom Durman back to Ashburton.
Caribbean-based Londoner Riccardo Small-Boyce is back to open the bowling for another year and may be joined by a friend to play in the 2nd XI within a week or two.
This season’s overseas player is Thomas Keily, a batter from the Hallora club in Australia.
Opening bat Richard Harmer, who arrived midway through last summer, is committed for a full season.
