B DIVISION BRIEFING

BOVEY TRACEY v HEATHCOAT II

Bovey Tracey (Jeremy Christophers): We have three changes to the team this week to meet our fellow second teamers in the B division Heathcoat. Outgoing players include Will Christophers who returns to the first team after runs and wickets in the seconds; Ryan Bougourd due to his tennis coaching commitments and Sam Harvey who will be playing with the thirds to  bat up the order.  Returning players include Sam Taylor whose England hockey commitments allow him to have a rare chance to play on a Saturday. Charlie Hill is a direct replacement for Bougourd and veteran campaigner Derek Perry is fit again. 

Heathcoat (Matt Hodson): A few missing this weekend with Blundell's having a fixture. Luckily we have a lot of strength in depth at the club. Will be looking for those coming in to take their opportunities and give me some selection headaches! I know Bovey will have a strong team so we're looking forward to going down there and testing ourselves. It feels like a division where anyone can beat anyone, which is exciting.

DARTINGTON & TOTNES v BIDEFORD

Dartington & Totnes (Mick Rusling): We're hoping to bounce back after a tough match last week and are happy that all-rounder Chris Cook is back after injury.  All-rounder Joe Parker returns after being unavailable due to G7 duty last week.  Hard-hitting batsman Dave Harvey also returns to the fold though Jim Lowden is unavailable.

Bideford (Alex Hannam): Unchanged heading into the weekend, just looking to build on the last two weeks and make it three wins on the bounce.

IPPLEPEN v CHUDLEIGH

Ipplepen (Simon Tapley): Good win last week and we will look to build on it against one of the top sides in Chudleigh. We will be without Tom Durman who has been in the runs and the wickets this season. We welcome back Sam Wakeham (holiday), Ben Forsey (university) and Adam Peters (Test match) to the side. Andrew Maynard and Josh Thompson drop back into the 2nd XI

Chudleigh (Will Heather): "We are back to good strength this weekend with a number of players back. There are about 5 changes to last week's side. Paul Windsor-Horne (working), Ben Cowling and Ben Quaintance are back with the second team. Matt Heather is out with a hamstring issue due to playing injured last week. He shouldn't have played but were short on numbers, so is out this week resting. It's a shame as he really enjoys batting at Ipplepen! Del Lammonby is also away this weekend.  Back in the side is Ed Foreman following the birth of his child. Will Lammonby is back this week to go into the top of the order. Also in is Chris Chaloner making his first-team debut. He has been out of Saturday cricket for a number of years but has been putting in good performances for the second team around work commitments. So will get a run out this weekend. Rob Clarke is back in after breaking his finger which is mending well. Luke Quaintance keeps his place and looking for him to kick on after last week's performance. With the losses from the disputed Bovey Tracey game and a drastically changed team last week, the record makes it look like we have dipped away from our initial great start to the season. But circumstances dictate otherwise. Hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend. Will be a hard fought game with Ipplepen as usual.

KILMINGTON v IVYBRIDGE

Kilmington (Brett Garner):A few forced changes again due to work commitments, but hopefully this week will be the last with availability issues and we should have a larger pool of players available the rest of the season. Do not know a lot about Ivybridge so go into the game looking to carry on our good form and enjoy our cricket and see if it's good enough to carry on competing at the top of the division. Ivybridge obviously had a very good result Saturday (v Heathcoat) so should be in for a nice, tight competitive game 

Ivybridge (Adam Huxtable): James Head (seamer/new signing), Jacob Kopparambil and Arthur Johnson come in to the team. We are just looking for another good team performance and continue where left off last week.

PLYMSTOCK v THORVERTON

Plymstock (James Nicholls):Availability is a bit better again this week, so we welcome back Scott Mansfield and a club return for Olly Mulberry which is a huge boost to have him about. Thorverton have started well and have a good side. We have had some very good and close games against them and I expect nothing different. We are far from done yet and with more guys to bring back, we are only going to get stronger. A win kick-starts everything.

Thorverton (Jake Choules):Three changes again as Pitt, Fielder and Chilcott come back in. Dave Baldock is unavailable and Bobby Heard has a school game. Luke Vukusic is really unlucky to miss out after his 35 not out plus a 50 on Sunday, but just going for a bit more experience for a tricky trip to Plymstock. Plymstock haven't got off to best start but we are under no illusions that it will be a very tough game. They're a good side and it's a hard place to play. We will need to be at our best. With the division so tight, whoever goes on a winning run will be in a great position come the end of the season. Hoping that Saturday is the start of our run.”