PREMIER PROSPECTS – WEEK FOUR
BOVEY TRACEY (7th) v EXMOUTH (5th)
Bovey Tracey (Toby Codd): We're looking to bounce back strongly against Exmouth. We know we can beat anyone at home. A few changes this week as availability is poor throughout the club. We're still going to get four teams out though which is a credit to everyone involved at Bovey. Seb Ansley, Lewis Hammett, Rob Pryke and Ollie Clifford-Bourne are out for Tom Andrew, Harry Mount, Ben Holmes and Hugo Whitlock come in. Tom has deserved a chance in the first team for a while after performing consistently in the seconds. Having Hugo back is obviously great news. We're all very excited to see him and welcome him back for this week.
Exmouth (Fin Marks): Pete Turnbull and Lawrence Greenway away this week. So Alvin and Louis Morison come in. Bovey always a tough place for us to go, but we are feeling good as a squad. Hoping for a full game this week after last week's rain off.
BRADNINCH & KENTISBEAER (4th) v HEATHCOAT (6th)
Bradninch & Kentisbeare (Gary Chappell): Justin Wubbeling away this week and Andy Buzza is away for a few weeks in the United States. The good news is that Ross Acton is back after nursing an injury, and we'll see how he is as to how much he bowls. Very happy with last weekend and the attitude and performances of everyone, particularly the young players. Looking to take that momentum into Saturday against Heathcoat, who seem to be starting to get their full side together now.
Heathcoat (Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings): Joe Hancock is on holiday this week and Dan Pugsley comes in. James Gregson is back at university so Harry Southgate comes in to boost the middle order. Finally Freddie Bucknell comes in for his first team debut in place of Dan Reed. Looking to build on our performance last week. Bradninch is always a tough game but there's no reason why we can't go there and get another much-needed win.
SANDFORD (top) v PLYMPTON(bottom)
Sandford (Jackson Thompson): Unchanged team from last week. The team is feeling very settled and people are clear on their roles. The resilience and grit shown by the team in the last game was heartening. Plympton gave us a scare last year at home and it took an individual brilliance by Dikshu to get us over the line. Cricket is a team sport for sure but individuals need to put their hand up and be counted, Just like Jack Ford did in the last game too! We go again with the same resolve and clear goals for this game. Be a good one! A late change to the side is that Northants have called-up pace bowler Raphael Weatherall for first-team duty against Yorkshire. Tom Gidney (pictured, left) comes in for him.
Plympton (Alex Carr): Shahbaz Javed (keeper-batter) has now arrived so will come straight into the team. Matt Draper is dropping down to the 2nd XI this week. Otherwise very much the same sort of team. Sandford clearly very strong favourites for the league, so will be one of our more difficult fixtures. Just focusing on our own performances each week and see how we end up. Good to have the full top four out for the first time this season.
EXETER (4th) v PAIGNTON (9th)
Exeter (Joe Gore): Fin Hill and Zach Vukusic are available so come in. Two young guns with great talent. Looking forward to showcasing at home again. Lots of positives from last few weeks so momentum feels good
Paignton (Noah Wright): Myself and Jack Harman away. Brenton Pedley and Sam Woodcock in. Team will be led by Luke Medlock. Hopefully get back to winning ways.
CORNWOOD (2nd) v SIDMOUTH(7th)
Cornwood (Elliott Staddon): Looking forward to getting back out after the rain-affected game last weekend. Would like to say ‘thank-you’ to Plympton, who did their best to get the game back on once we came off last week, but we just ran out of time. Sidmouth always a dangerous side with some very good players. We know we'll have a good battle to get the win. Couple of changes for us with Jack Ormsby coming back in for another spin option along with Max Finzel to open the batting.
Sidmouth (Luke Bess): A few changes to the side again this week. Robbie Powell pulled his hammy last week and is out. I come in for him. Scott Barlow, Dan Powell and Tom Moore all available as well so some other decisions to be made. We've got a tough start fixtures-wise playing Sandford, Bradninch & Kentisbeare and Cornwood on the bounce. Tiny bit of luck either way and it feels like we could have been three from three going into Cornwood. At this stage just hoping the weather stays away and we get a full-length game on.
