Exmouth skipper Marks targets league and cup double | 'The lads are confident we can'

EXMOUTH skipper Fin Marks is aiming for a league and cup double in the season ahead.

Marks led Exmouth to the Devon T20 title for the second season running in 2025 – and a third-place finish in the Tolchards DCL Premier Division.

Exmouth’s captain sees last season’s achievements as the springboard for bigger and better things this summer.

“Our aim is to win the Premier Division and win the Devon T20 for the third year in a row,” said Marks. 

“We got to the 17th game in the league last year with a massive chance to win it, but just fell short. 

“I am hoping we can top that this year – and the lads are confident we can. 

“It’s going to be a fun season.”

Exmouth have engaged South African seamer Onke Nyaku as their overseas player for the season. He replaces Australian Lachlan Fisher, who took 38 league and cup wickets last season.

Nyaku, who is 31, has had a 12-year professional career with Eastern Province, Warriors, Cape Cobras, South Western Districts, Western Province and now North West Dragons. With more than 200 games under his belt in all three formats, Nyaku has a wealth of experience.

Nyaku is no stranger to UK conditions having played for Witham in the East Anglia Premier League in 2022 and South Yorkshire Premier side Treeton the following summer.

“Onke is an exciting new-ball bowler who can hold the stick at a decent level, said Marks. “Very excited to have him on board.”

Also on board is batter Jack Dart, initially with Budleigh Salterton (2010-14) and more recently Heathcoat (2015-24), with whom he was a Premier Division title winner in 2019 and 2021.

Marks said Dart was a ‘great signing’, and added: “Jack brings some experience in the middle of the order and experience of winning the league, which we have needed.

“He is a great bloke as well, who will fit in nicely with the boys and the club.”

Exmouth have also recruited teenager Noah Musikanth, who started the 2025 season with Heathcoat and finished it with Sidmouth, where dad John was coaching at the time. That arrangement has now ended.

Musikanth, who is studying at Blundell’s School, is on Devon’s radar, which is how Exmouth came to recruit him.

“Dan Pyle and James Horler have been Devon training with Noah over the winter and he has impressed them with bat and ball,” said Marks.

“Noah seems like a great young lad and I will be excited to see him play after his school cricket finishes.”

Exmouth’s only significant departure over the winter is spinner Ben Higton, who has left the area and moved to Cardiff.

“Ben will be a big miss as he was mega for us in our T20 run last year, but we wish him well,” said Marks.

Exmouth’s opening Premier Division fixture is away to Cornwood on Saturday, May 2.