Jake Pascoe batting for Ashburton<br>credit: Conrad Sutcliffe - no re-use without permission

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

BOVEY Tracey have finalised their first signing of the close-season by persuading Ashburton’s teenage run machine Jake Pascoe to step-up to Premier Division cricket with them.

Pascoe has been gathering admirers in the lower divisions of the Tolchards DCL and the county age-group circuit for a while with his happy knack of scoring runs.

Pascoe topped the Ashburton averages in the season just ended with 491 league runs at an average of 37.77 and had a top score of 109 all out against Hatherleigh 2nd XI.

In age-group cricket for Devon there were hundreds for Pascoe against Gloucestershire and Somerset. 

Three 50s for Devon at under-10s level back in 2015 marked Pascoe down as one to watch from his earliest days in cricket.

Bovey were not the only Premier club interested in signing Pascoe, but they were the easiest to get to.Jake Pascoe driving through the off-side

Lewis Hammett, the Bovey Tracey captain, said: “Jake had a few clubs after him, but likes what Bovey stand for and how we do things. 

“Jake has scored runs at every level he has played including a 150 not out for Devon Academy this season – so this is a good time for him to join

“We are looking forward Jake joining a competitive premier league squad and, as a signing for the present and the future, watching him develop.”

Pascoe went through the youth teams at Ashburton and first appears in an adult team in 2017 when me made 39 against Ivybridge.

The Pascoe family are Ashburton through and through – granddad Graham, dad Chris and uncles Paul and Phil all played and grandma Jean has been 1st XI scorer – so moving to Bovey is a big deal.

Lloyd White, often at the other end from Pascoe for the past two seasons, said Ashburton players will follow his progress with great interest.

“All of the membership wishes Jakes every success as he moves up to play a higher standard and to test himself at Premier level,” said White.

“We know the lads at Bovey will look after him and nurture his talents in the same vain. 

“Jake has a wonderful cricketing future ahead of him and I have no doubt he'll be a fantastic asset, not only for his new club but for Devon Cricket as a whole. 

“Go well partner!”