BY CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

IT’S Clyst Hydon away on day one for Alphington & Countess Wear.

Pre-season has been a challenge for A&CW, who took on strong second teams from Exeter and Sidmouth as part of their preparations.

The Powell brothers – Dan and Rob – both made centuries and Charlie Miles hit 51 as Sidmouth topped 300 against A&CW in the final warm-up game.

Matt Taylor (111) replied in kind for A&CW, who mustered 211 all out in reply.

Taylor, better known as the manager of Exeter City, will miss the first two or three games of the cricket season, which is a loss A&CW skipper James Bogue would prefer to do without.

“We have five or six potential match-winners at the club – and Matt is probably at the top of the list,” said Bogue.

Bogue said although pre-season had been hard, the games had been good tests.

“We've trained well, had very good availability and some testing pre-season fixtures and  I think we'll be a tough team to beat,” he said.

SAMPFORD Peverell & Tiverton are at home to Feniton in their D Division East opener.

Skipper Joe Parkinson has set his sights high this season with a double promotion the target.

“The hope is both our teams can get promoted,” said Parkinson. 

The 2nd XI play in F Division East where Exeter 3rd XI provide the opening day opposition.

Tim Hill and player-coach Jack Bradbury have committed to playing regularly this season. A notable departure is Will Bucknell back to Heathcoat, but dad Guy and brother Freddie are staying put.

Kentisbeare skipper Tom Martin hopes the club’s youngsters will come to the fore in the D Division East this season.

Having had no results on the recruiting front, Martin is looking to colts to grab a chance.

“We were talking to a couple of people but nothing materialised in the end, although our door will always be open to new players wanting to come and get involved,” said Martin. “

“Our pre-season was decent with two wins from three and some good performances from young Harvey Sanders.

“Harvey looked good opening the batting so I am hoping for big things from him this year.

“Some of our other youngsters have impressed and will be looking to stake a claim for a first-team spot. The future is looking bright.”

The season starts away to Barnstaple & Pilton this Saturday.

CLYST Hydon are going all out to enjoy their cricket this season after a torrid time in 2020.

Since the cut-down 2020 season ended last September, Hydon have lost club founder Keith Wood and scrapped their second team.

Wood, a driving force behind the formation of the club in 1988 and a long-term chairman, died shortly before Christmas.

“Sadly a big funeral and send-off was not possible due to the pandemic,” said Chris Holmes, the club captain.

“He was an inspiration for cricket for a lot of people and without him Clyst Hydon would not exist.”

Winding up the second team last year was an unavoidable decision due to problems getting a competitive side on the field.

“They were in a high division and kept losing badly which meant a lot of people did not enjoy their cricket,” said Holmes.

All that is in the past now and the club is looking forward, not back.

“We have set our hopes for this season to just enjoy the cricket we play and try to bring the club back to its roots of playing friendly, enjoyable cricket,” said Holmes. 

“So as for the league I believe we have reached a standard (D Division East) where we can be competitive and still enjoy the games for the level of our members. 

Like any club that drops their second team, we have to try and keep as many players as we can. So there will be a few ex-second team players who will be playing on Saturdays this year.”

The season starts this Saturday at home to Alphington & Countess Wear.

KENTISBEARE skipper Tom Martin hopes the club’s youngsters will come to the fore in the D Division East this season.

Having had no results on the recruiting front, Martin is looking to colts to grab a chance.

“We were talking to a couple of people but nothing materialised in the end, although our door will always be open to new players wanting to come and get involved,” said Martin. “

“Our pre-season was decent with two wins from three and some good performances from young Harvey Sanders.

“Harvey looked good opening the batting so I am hoping for big things from him this year.

“Some of our other youngsters have impressed and will be looking to stake a claim for a first-team spot. The future is looking bright.”

The season starts away to Barnstaple & Pilton this Saturday.

OPENER James Roe and skipper Lee Cole both made half-centuries for Barnstaple & Pilton in a warm-up win over Bideford 2^ndXI.

Roe opened up with 64 and contributions from Rob Holm (36), Joe Hastie (26) and Cole (51) got Barnstaple & Pilton up to 248 for seven in 40 overs.

Bideford collapsed to 79 all out with more than nine overs to go and lost by 169 runs.

John Weeks made 43 and of the rest the next best was skipper Ian Hayter with nine. Six batters failed to make a run between them!

Hastie (3-17) and Tony Gilbert (3-10) did most of the damage, aided and abetted by Charlie Holm (3-34) and Cole (2-8).

Barnstaple are at home to Kentisbeare this Saturday in the D Division East.

After a couple of rocky seasons at Taw Meadow, skipper Cole is hoping for a period of stability.

“No new signings, no overseas and no players have left, which is always good,” said Cole.

“I hope we can at least compete in the league this year. The boys seem keen as pre-season nets have been busy.”