North Devon aim to bounce straight back into Premier Division | 'The aim is to be in that top two come end of the season' – Jack Moore
NORTH Devon don’t intend to linger long in the Tolchards DCL A Division after being relegated from the top flight last season, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.
Newly promoted clubs often find it tough gaining a toehold in the Premier Division – as North Devon and Sidmouth can testify from previous experiences!
Jack Moore, the promotion-winning captain in 2024, accepts there are potential promotion perils. But that isn’t going to stop him having another crack at going up.
“The aim is to be in that top two come end of the season, but just looking to take it a game at a time in a division that I think will be a lot tougher than 2024,” said Moore.
“Last season was a tough one for us, but I think the learnings will hold us in great stead going into this year.
“You hear tales of relegated clubs having a divided dressing room by the end of the season because losing most weeks becomes a habit.
“However, we have stuck together throughout the tough times and, thankfully, none of our senior players or gun youngsters have looked elsewhere for cricketing opportunities.”
Moore wants to put the fun back into North Devon’s cricket in the season ahead, which he hopes will by a by-product of winning games.
Close-season recruiting has been extensive, leading Moore to remark: “Just as we were in 2024, we look stronger in the A Division than we were in the Prem.”
Top of the acquisition list is Zimbabwean batter Definite Mawadzi, who also bowls off-spin.
Mawadzi plays for Mountaineers in the Logan Cup and averaged more than 50 in his last full season. He finished among the competition’s top ten run-scorers and struck 171 against the Eagles
“As a middle-order batter who bowls as well, Definite should fit in nicely,” said his new captain.
North Devon have signed Exeter University duo Oscar Sheffield and Harry Streak, who will feature in the first half of the season.
“Oscar is a tall, left-arm seamer and Harry is a fast-bowling all-rounder,” said Moore.
Harry Streak is the son of the late Heath Streak, a former Zimbabwe captain and all-rounder, who died in 2023.
Former North Devon captain Tom Popham is back as a batter having missed the Premier campaign with an Achilles injury. Seamer Jack Popham should back to full fitness after ankle surgery in 2024.
With left-hander Jack Whittaker available full-time, and Tom Ansell back living in the parish, North Devon’s batting has acquired some depth.
And with former Braunton duo James Lake and Steve Moore already on board, North Devon have additional bowling options too.
Steve Moore – Jack’s dad – is earmarked for captaining the 2nd XI with a mandate to bring on the youngsters.
Moore junior’s headache could be deciding who plays where, such is the depth of the talent pool.
“Youngsters such as Freddie Tucker , Noah Tovell and Jools Hughes are a year older now and will be further exposed to first-team cricket,” said Moore.
“Noah Tovell, in particular, is one to watch out for in my opinion. He bats in the top order and bowls good leggies.”
Mark Overton, one of Moore’s predecessors as 1st XI captain (2002-04), has had his coaching role formalised for the season ahead.
“Mark worked with us last year a little bit and was awesome for the squad and myself,” said Moore.
“I am really looking forward to having someone of his knowledge and calibre feeding information into us.”
