EARLY leaders Shobrooke Park face a toughie when they host Abbotskerswell.

Abbots are also unbeaten after two games and only lag behind Shobrooke by a couple of points.

“Abbots have started well so we are ready for a tough game,” said Shobrooke skipper Chris Simpson.

Much the same mate,

“We are looking for another strong performance this weekend.

“Our bowling has been top class and I am sure we can keep that going.

“Our pace bowlers – Craig James, Ben Trenaman and Dan Robbins - have been bowling really well

“Batting isn't easy early in the season, but we batted well at home last year.”

Abbots make one change to the side. Noah Tobias comes in for Tom Heath.

"We are expecting another tough game and want batsmen to push on. not be content with 20s and 30s," said chairman Paul Mitchell.

FILLEIGH are at home to Ipplepen this Saturday, but will be without dependable bowler John Hickman, who is at a wedding.

“We are waiting to see if Macaully Harrison-Hooton is back from university to replace John,” said Prideaux.

 “Macauly can keep wicket and Justin Saker culd bowl his off spin.

“If he is not back, bowling all-rounder James Marsh will come in. “

Filleigh have played well in patches so far, but not for long enough.

We bowled and fielded well in game one and batted well in game two,” said Prideaux.

“Hopefully we can put both together on Saturday.”

Ipplepen have been hard hit by availability issues for one of their longest trips of the season as they have six out.

In come Tom Cooper, Ben Forsey, Keith Wakeham, Paul Thomas, Rueben Stanley and Matt Quartley.

“It is still a very good sidem even if the average age has tripled,” joked captain Sam Wakeham.

THORVERTON hope it will be third time lucky for them when they host Seaton.

A defeat and a rain-off are all they have to show so far, although the bonus-points column is respectable.

Seaton are played two lost two, which gives Thors’ skipper Andy Pitt reasons to feel confident.

A big chance for us to get off the mark this week with a pretty much a full-strength team, - let's just hope the rain stays away,” said Pitt.

George Greed, David Baldock and Jake Crouch are back.

Keeper Paul Fielder is away so Greed takes up the gloves.

“Jacob Broom keeps his spot after bowling well ,which also helps to add extra seam bowling option with Crouch being back in too,” revealed Pitt.

Seaton, looking for a win after two false starts, are without Kersley Sutton (exams), Josh Cann (Twickenham) and Ed Hunt (2nd XI).

Robbie Prior comes back in and Ben Goodier and Kevin Moran come in too.

No longer part of the scene at Court Lane is batting all-rounder Sam Goodier, who has transferred to Exmouth.

“We couldn’t offer Sam 1st XI cricket every week and our second team is a long way below on the league ladder,” said skipper Ben Morgan.

“He has gone to Exmouth to play Premier 2nd XI cricket and we understand the reasons.

“No one wanted him to go and the door is always open for him to return.”

THINGS can only get better for Barton when they face Tavistock at Cricketfield Road.

Barton lost by five wickets to Thorverton last Saturday after being skittled out for 86.

“We had a Bad day at the office,” said skipper Adam Parker.

“We lost the toss on a bowler-friendly wicket and it went downhill from really.

“Credit to their bowlers they put the ball in the right place and let the pitch and conditions do their bit.

“We probably played too many shots for the conditions.”

“Positives are we bowled well and fought right until the end, another 20-30 runs and it could have been interesting.

“We will put it behind us and go again this week.”

Tavistock will be unchanged from the side rained off against Thorverton.

"We know it will be a tough game at Barton but we are looking for nothing less than a win" said skipper Shaun Daymond.

BIDEFORD got the bounceback win skipper Paul Heard wanted when they hammered Seaton by nine wickets.

Mike Lemmings isn’t available to play against Ottery this Saturday and is replaced in the spin-bowling department by Jack Ford.

Fred King comes back from injury to replace Martin Stewart who drops to the 2nd XI.

Heard sounded a warning note ahead of the game, saying: “Ottery gave us two of our best games last year so we go in bolstered by last week’s efforts but wary of their ability.”