ALPHINGTON start counting down for another crack at getting out of the C Division East when indoor nets start next month.
The Alphas’ first pre-season net is at Exeter School on Sunday, February 17 (11am-noon). Further sessions are booked for the same time at the same venue on March 3, March 17 and March 31.
South African Drikus van Vuuren has been engaged to return to the Chronicles for another season as the club’s overseas player.
Van Vuuren had a successful first season with bat and ball for Alphington in the Tolchards Devon League.
He topped the batting stats with 654 runs at an average of 50.31, which included four 50s and two tons – and took 22 wickets at 25.23.
No one scored more runs than van Vuuren, although Matt Taylor was not far behind on 616 from five fewer innings. He averaged 61.60.
Taylor, the Exeter City manager, missed the start and end of the cricket season for obvious reasons. He will be back a week or two into May for the 2019 campaign.
Three players Alphington have not seen a lot of for the past few seasons are poised to reappear this summer.
Off-spinning all-rounder Paul James, who played 2nd XI cricket for Essex at the start of his career, has hinted he will be regularly available in 2019.
Seam bowler Andy Wilson and batter Ian McDonald, two consistent performers in the past, are also on the comeback trail.
Skipper Luke Phillips is waiting to hear if predecessor Stuart Shaw will be purveying his off-spin in the side this season. Shaw has a busy role as chairman of Exmouth Town that may get in the way.
New to the squad for 2019 is Jon Heaver, who has arrived from D East side Countess Wear. He bats, bowls and keeps wicket.
Steve Baxter has relinquished the role of chairman after seven years, during which Alphington’s facilities have steadily improved on and off the field.
The new chairman is former Exeter City and Yeovil Town footballer Graham Weeks.
Weeks will be assisted by Alphington lifer Andy Mills as vice-chairman.
