ALPHINGTON skipper Stuart Shaw has stressed the need for better availability if his side are going to win promotion this season.

This is Shaw’s eighth season at the tiller – and he insists it is going to be his last.

Having missed out on the play-offs in C Division East last season, the Alphas are trying to get out of C Division West this summer.

As Alphington are a mid-county team they have been moved sideways to balance the numbers in East and West sections of the regionalised lower divisions.

There are trips to some new venues – Whitchurch this Saturday is one of them – and reacquaintance with old foes such as Chagford.

Whoever they play the issue of availability is key to getting promoted.

“Players need to commit for 13 or 14 games and stick to it,” said Shaw.

“I appreciate there are holidays and weddings to go to, but if we want to get out of this division we need to have our best side out most of the time.

“Even if it is just a couple of extra games – 14 instead of 12 – that is going to benefit the club.”

South African seam bowler Ashley Green is back for a second season and Shaw is confident he will better last season’s tally of 30 wickets.

“The pitches are totally different to bowl on in Devon and it takes time to adjust,” said Shaw.

“Ashley knows what to expect now and won’t spent his first few matches getting a feel for it.”

Brothers Nick and Mark Halse – previously with Abbotskerswell - are in line for league debuts having looked sharp pre-season.

Mark Halse has a dual player-coach role at the club as part of a continuous development programme.