NORTH DEVON v IVYBRIDGE
NORTH Devon skipper Jack Moore has a long-term vision for the club … as an established force in the Tolchards DCL Premier Division.
Moore led North Devon back into the Premier Division in 2024 at his first attempt, but was unable to keep them there.
North Devon are back in the A Division again this season, not that Moore intends hanging around long. He wants to get straight back up, and this time stay up!
“We are all looking forward to getting going in an exciting season for the club,” said Moore.
“There are lots of youngsters across all teams and a real chance to be successful, not only this year but for the next three, four and five.”
Moore is backing home-grown youngsters such as Freddie Tucker, Noah Tovell and Jools Hughes to pose problems with bat, ball or both for opposition teams.
With batters Jack Whittaker and Tom Ansell regularly available for the season, and Jack Popham fully fit after ankle surgery, North Devon have depth to match Moore’s aspirations.
North Devon’s season gets under way at home to newly promoted Ivybridge. They will be without overseas player Definate Mawadzi, who should be in the UK for the trip to Budleigh Salterton in round two.
The Zimbabwean all-rounder – a batter who bowls spin – has been playing red and white-ball cricket for the Mountaineers franchise.
IVYBRIDGE have re-signed all-rounder Dinesh Raheja to bolster their squad for their return to A Division cricket after a three-year absence.
Raheja, a regular run-getter and useful wicket-taker in lower division cricket, was with Ivybridge the last time they were in the A Division. He has spent the last two seasos piling-up the runs for Cullompton, who were reluctant to see him leave.
Adam Huxtable, back for a second stint as 1st XI captain, is glad to have Raheja back on board.
“Dinesh is a great addition to the squad,” said Huxtable. “He is a proven performer at this level and I am excited to see what he can do for us.”
Nispthan Saravanane, a middle-order batter, has followed Raheja down the road from Cullompton to Filham Park.
Mickey Copeland, a batting all-rounder from South Africa, is the overseas player contracted for the season. He has had two previous UK seasons in Lancashire and Northern Ireland.
“Mickey comes highly recommended by Cebo Tshiki, our former professional, who has played First Class cricket with him,” said Huxtable.
On prospects for the season, which starts away at North Devon, Huxtable said: “Really looking forward to seeing how far this group of players can go.”
