PREMIER DIVISION PROSPECTS – WEEK 18
Bradninch & Kentisbeare (top) v Exeter (4th)
Bradninch & Kentisbeare (Gary Chappell): Few changes from last week. We know what we have to do so it's heads down and get the job done. Tim Piper among players absent.
Exeter (Charlie Clist): Not much team news other than we have a strong side looking to end the season on a high note. Sam Mycock has returned home to New Zealand. Second-team overseas player Aashay Dube steps up. Freddie Cockram also promoted. Team: Gundry, Gribble, Linnitt, Clist, Read, Vukusic, Cockram, Dube, Fern, JLo, Kaleem.
Heathcoat (9th) v Cornwood (5th)
Heathcoat (Dylan Penberthy): Jack Dart out and Tom Hatton back in. Win needed and a result to go our way. Who knows? Let's hope the bad weather stays away… in Tiverton at least!
Cornwood (Elliott Staddon): We acknowledge how big a game this is for Heathcoat, with a win and results going their way needed to stay up. For ourselves we just want to finish as high in the table as we can and would like the fourth spot as a fair reflection of our season. One change in our team. With Lee Baker unavailable, Sam Griffiths comes up from the 2nd team to give us another batter in the middle order.
North Devon (10th) v Sandford (8th)
North Devon (Jack Moore): Full strength this week for president’s day. It's been a tough season results-wise but the way we have stuck together as a side is great and a credit to the lads in the changing room. Couple injuries and form being hit at different times and who knows how the season would have gone? Feel like the Grimsby Town goalkeeper this weekend; would love to win but seeing Adam and his Sandford friends stay up over the spirit of cricket enthusiasts would be perfect.
Sandford (Jackson Thompson): One last one for the season and an important one at that. We will give it our best shot. Obviously, it hasn't gone to plan much this season. Maybe we just need to free ourselves a little and just keep it simple and enjoy the occasion more? Mostly similar team to last week, but Byron Knowles is away so Praison Alias comes back from injury. Still waiting on whether James Theedom is available. If the weather permits it should be a good game.
Paignton (2nd) v Plymouth (6th)
Paignton (Harry Ward): Great to have Archie Farkins and Steve George back in the side this week. For us, the focus is simply on finishing strongly and trying to get 20 points that could win us the league. We’ve had a memorable season, shown real growth as a team, and achieved individual success along the way. Notable having the leading wicket taker Aya. leading run scorer Luke Medlock, and leading catcher Ollie Woodcock. Whatever happens on the final day, we can be proud of what’s been built this year, and use it as a platform to keep pushing forward and take it into next season.
At the start of the season, many might have looked at this fixture and expected it to be a relegation battle. Instead, both sides have had strong seasons. Fair play to Plymouth for the season they’ve put together. We won't be taking them lightly on Saturday, knowing how good they can be. With the weather around, our title chances might get a slight boost. That said, if Bradninch go on to collect the four points they need, we certainly won’t be too disappointed. They’ve had another excellent season, shown real consistency, and played some outstanding cricket. Should they get over the line, they would be worthy champions.
Plymouth (Sam Stein): Final game of the season. Been an enjoyable one on our return with an eye opener on where we need to improve next year. Some great experience gained for the younger lads in our side, which can only benefit us next year. Couple of changes this week. Richard Goldsby-West back in and Ollie Parsons take to take the gloves.
Sidmouth (7th) v Exmouth (3rd)
Exmouth (Fin Marks): Nothing to play for in the league but it's the derby so the boys are right up for it. Want to finish what has been a fairly successful year for us on a high.
