Sonny Baker, whose academy deal with Somerset is good news for all young cricketers<br>credit: Contributed

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

TORQUAY’S director of cricket Mike Pugh believes Somerset’s decision to offer Sonny Baker an academy contract at Taunton sent out a positive message to all young cricketers.

Paceman Baker, who is 17, has been on the Somerset radar for a while and last week’s academy offer did not surprise anyone who had watched him progress through Torquay’s youth teams and the Devon age-group system.

Pugh not only was he pleased for the player but also pleased by the signal Somerset sent out.

“Sonny has worked very hard to get over a couple of knockbacks to earn his place at Somerset, which shows how mentally strong and determined he is,” said Pugh.

“Somerset make sure they are aware of the young players in Devon who are aiming to be as good as they can, which you can see from the number of Devonians they have signed in recent years.

On the move: Callum Stanley“The message Somerset are sending out is if you work hard and strive to be as good as you can then the door is always open as you will get noticed.”

The 2021 season may be more than five months away, but Pugh is already looking ahead to it and has made Torquay’s first winter signing.

Ipplepen batsman Callum Stanley impressed against Torquay in the Tier Two play-off final in September and has decided to step up from B to A Division cricket.

Pugh said one of the reasons Torquay lost the play-off game was Stanley’s contribution with the bat.

“Most people will remember the game for Neil Hancock’s century, but there was more to it than that,” said Pugh.

“What took the game away from us was Callum’s 70 in support of Hanks, which just pushed the game out of our reach.

“Without Callum’s innings I doubt we would have been chasing nearly 300 to win. It certainly would not have been so challenging.

“Callum has trained with us a couple of times and must have liked what he saw. We are pleased to have him on board next season.”

While Torquay are pleased to have got their man, Ipplepen are sad to see him go.

“Callum was a key member of the team that won the second tier competition this season so will be a loss,” said Simon Tapley, the Pens’ team manager.

“When he came back to us after a brief stay at Bovey it was clear that he would make a positive contribution to the squad. 

“After two seasons with us we wish him well at Torquay.”

Stanley played for Paignton between 2009-2013 then had a stint with Abbotskerswell in 2014. It was next stop Ipplepen, followed by a single season (2018) with Bovey Tracey.

Stanley impressed on his return to Ipplepen in 2019. He hit five league half-centuries including a career best 87 against Thorverton.

Pugh hinted that another player is poised to join Torquay next season, although until the paperwork is processed his identity will remain confidential.

“All I will say is the player concerned is an experienced achiever in the Devon League and has the stats to back up that statement.”