Around the wickets in the A Division – Week 16: Christophers (pictured) back for Bovey | Barton bolster side with a pair of Sheltons | Cleave focused on last lap of Tavvy's promotion race | Choules targets best-ever finish in A Division
AROUND THE WICKETS IN THE A DIVISION
Bovey Tracey (5th) v Barton (10th)
Bovey Tracey (Seb Ansley): Team news is Clifford-Bourne out for Will Christophers, Tom Andrew out for Rob Pryke, and Slade van. Staden has now gone back to South Africa. Lewis Hammett back in to take the gloves and score all his runs! On the face of it nothing to play for but pride now. After last week we need to make sure we up our game for definite to achieve that. As was mentioned last week it's a chance for individuals to lift their season individually with three to go, and the team should benefit from there.
Barton (Steve Lewis): Matt Lipton and Harry Shelton back. Jack Shelton in to bolster the spin department. No Tom Drake; not allowed this week. Tom Porter is in the 2nd XI for their must-win game against Kenn. Dave Robinson injured.
Torquay & Kingskerswell (8th) v Plympton (9th)
Torquay & Kingskerswell: Nothing to report.
Plympton (Harry Kandampully): Our aim is to try and win the last three games and stay in this division.There will be a few changes: still sorting the last few players.
Hatherleigh (2nd) v Bridestowe & Belstone (7th)
Hatherleigh (Rob Cockwill): Mark Lake, Sean Letheren and Rob Fishleigh all in. As long as we play with the enjoyment and freedom that we have played the rest of the season with, I will be happy. We can't think too far ahead: what will be will be. We have some tough fixtures to come, as teams are fighting at both ends of the table. Saturday being a derby will add some extra spice. Also looking forward to another fantastic Hatherleigh tea (see below).
Bridestowe & Belstone: Skipper Tallan Burns is hoping to have rugby star Billy Searle (Leicester Tigers) available to play against dad Arnie Searle’s old club.
Cullompton (4th) v Kilmington (6th)
Cullompton (Dan King): An unchanged line-up, to take on Kilmington. Looking to finish the season strongly. Kilmington will be strengthened by the return of some players, so it should be a great match-up.
Kilmington (Oli Reed): A few changes again – like always. Haven't put the same team out once this season, something to work on next year. Expecting lots of runs at Cully so our bowlers need to be on top form. Priorities for last three games are to enjoy it as much as we can and finish the season strongly.
Thorverton (3rd) v Tavistock (top)
Thorverton (Jake Choules): Seems like the promotion spaces are all but settled after last week, but we’re looking forward to testing ourselves against the top team in a game that’s always played in a good spirit. We’ve got a tough run in but still have a chance of securing the club’s highest-ever finish, which should be the main aim. Few changes as usual, I’m in for Alex Jopling and Luke Vukusic in for Andy Kingdon, which are both pretty like for like. Devon U18 Henry Squire also returns to the side.
Tavistock (Sean Cleave): Only one change this week, with Will Scott-Munden dropping to the 2s and Charlie Barriball coming in. It’s a real testament to the depth we’ve built this season that we can bring in someone of Charlie’s quality, while also having to leave out a player like Will, who has performed consistently well throughout the campaign. We’ve got three games left to secure promotion, and the aim is to get the job done this weekend. I’ve played against Thorverton many times, they’re a strong, well-run club, and I’m expecting a tough game. With promotion still within their reach, they certainly won’t be throwing in the towel. We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing all season and I’m sure the points we require will come.
