CORNWOOD’S new captain Matt Skeemer is making no rash predictions going into the new season, which starts with a Premier Division date against Exmouth at Oak Park.

“We will look to enjoy every game and see where we end up?” said Skeemer.

Skeemer, who has taken over from Elliot Staddon, has lost key bater Ben Beamont and Devon all-rounder Ben Privett during the winter. Beaumont has jetted off to Australia and Privett has switched to WEPL side Midsomer Norton.

Jack Ormsby, part of the bowling attack last season, has left the area for a new job in London.

New faces are few and far between, apart from overseas player Mohisn Khan. The 22-year-old broke into First Class cricket in Pakistan with Sahir Associates this year and is currently averaging 54 with the bat.

Cornwood have signed Ioan Phillips from Welsh side Pontarddulais– he was with Plymouth for part of the 2024 season – but will miss the startr of the season after breaking an arm playing rugby.

“Ioan will be a good top-order batsmen for us, but don’t know when he’ll be back,” said Skeemer.

Youngsters Stanley Baker and Alexs Shutt emerged as players of the future last season and Skeemer anticipates seeing more from them in 2026, which looks like a consolidation year.

“The aspiration is with a few key guys moving on it creates opportunities for young lads like Stan and Alex, who have both looked really good pre-season, to progress.”

Exmouth are going to start the season without South African new-ball bowler Onke Nyaky (West Dragons), whose visa has not come through yet. The club are making contingency arrangements in case he falls through.

Pete Turnbull and skipper Fin Marks will both miss the first round of games – and the captain could be absent for quite a few due to work commitments.

New recruit Noah Musikanth, signed from Sidmouth, has a Blundell's School game that prevents him turning out.

"Seen some great signs of Noah Musikanth in pre season, 60 in the National cup and\ 211 for Blundell's last week," said vice-captain James Horler.

Jack Dart, a batsman captured from Heathcoat, is pencilled in for his debut,

Marks has set winning the Premier title as a target. Horler intends delivering a win to get the ball rolling,

"Always a good game against cornwood, but important task is to hit the ground running as these early games can prove extremely costly later on in the season," said Horler.