Clyst St George’s long wait for Division Two cricket will finally come to an end on Sunday when they welcome Taunton Deane.
A combination of rearrangements and cancellations has left last season’s Division Three champions waiting until July to play their first league game of the campaign.
Clyst St George won the third tier comfortably last summer, but life in Division Two will present a new challenge for Ali West’s side.
They have not been completely starved of cricket, with friendlies and the T20 competition providing valuable game time ahead of Sunday’s league opener.
“Finally, it’s here! After what feels like forever building up through friendlies and the T20 comp, we have our first league match of the season, and the team are buzzing,” said Clyst St George captain West.
There will be a first taste of league cricket for Geraldine Baylis, whose impact on the group has already caught her captain’s attention.
“Her enthusiasm has been brilliant for team morale, so don’t be surprised if you catch a few corny one-liners flying about along with the runs,” West said.
Young bowlers Iona Murrin and Violet Stephens are two more names to watch after impressing in both junior and women’s cricket this season.
West has also been encouraged by the contribution of new vice-captain Chloe Williams, who has led the way with the bat and stepped into a bigger leadership role off the field.
“She’s been leading the charge with the bat and setting the tone off the pitch too – great to have her stepping up,” added West.
“We can’t wait to see them all in action and are looking forward to welcoming Taunton to CSG on Sunday afternoon.”
Unlike their hosts, Taunton Deane have already tasted Division Two action this season, although Hatherleigh got the better of them in their opening league fixture.
Their response since then has been impressive.
Four wins from four in the group stages of the Tolchards T20 Plate have secured Taunton a place in the semi-finals and they return to league action with confidence high.
“After a successful cup run, we’re looking forward to getting back into league action,” said Taunton team manager Georgia Adams.
Taunton’s developing crop of young players has been a particular source of excitement.
“We’re especially excited this year to see our juniors stepping up through the ranks into senior cricket,” Adams said.
“We always have great games at CSG, so we’re looking forward to the challenge this weekend.”
Adams has picked out three players to watch on Sunday: Imogen Dunne for her classy batting, Pippa Stephens and her “demon bowling”, and Harrie Kelly for her sharp work behind the stumps.
With Clyst St George finally ready to discover what Division Two has in store and Taunton arriving on the back of a perfect T20 Plate group campaign, Sunday’s sole game in the division has all the ingredients for an intriguing contest.
DIVISION TWO NOTE: Regrettably, Exeter Second XI have withdrawn from Division Two due to ongoing difficulties raising a side.
