ABBOTSKERSWELL chairman Paul Mitchell has a simple ambition for the season ahead – he doesn’t want another relegation.

Two seasons ago Abbot were in the A Division, but back-to-back relegations have dropped them down to the C Division West.

It is the lowest level of cricket Abbots have played at for more than 20 years – and they don’t want to hang around long.

“It would be nice not to be relegated again, but the only aim is to get straight back up,” said Mitchell.

Almost inevitably Abbots lost promising paceman Hugo Whitlock to Premier side Bovey Tracey during the winter.

Mawgan Penrice, who finished the season as skipper, has switched to Ipplepen in search of cricket at a better level.

New to the club are ex-Asburton batter Tom Durman, who has already clonked a pre-season century, and Ricardo Small-Boyce.

Small-Boyce, who has been living in Barbados, has had a 50 with the bat and six wickets with the ball in pre-season.

This season’s overseas player is Brett Williams, who bats and bowls. Brother Ryan was with Abbots three years ago.

STOKE Gabriel captain Jack Tolley will be happy with a season of mid-table safety after last season’s close shave.

The Villagers went down in 2014 and nearly went down again last season too.

In a dead heat on points with Yelverton for the second drop spot, Stoke stayed up by virtue of more wins – seven as opposed to six. That was a bit too close for comfort.

“A nice mid-table position with no dramas will be ideal,” said Tolley.

Michael Meech has trodden the well-worn path from Brixham to Stoke having previously been with Paignton.

Left-hander Rob Baker hopes to play more regularly this season – which is almost the same as having a new player.

A proper new player is Nathan Hicks, an Australian keeper-batsman.