James Tyler – back at the Recreation Ground in 2026<br>credit: Conrad Sutcliffe - no re-use without copyright owner's consent

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

FORMER New Zealand under-19 keeper-batter Ben Pomare has been signed-up by Torquay & Kingskerswell for next season’s anticipated promotion push in the Tolchards DCL A Division.

Pomare, who is 25, appeared 10 times in under-19 matches for new Zealand between 2019 and 2020.Among them were two outings in the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup, which was staged in South Africa.

Since his under-19 career ended Pomare has appeared in all three forms of professional cricket for Northern Districts. 

Pomare averages nearly 30 in red-ball cricket, 23.12 in List A cricket and 15.33 in Twenty20 games. Highlights include a top score of 63 against Central Districts in last season’s Ford Trophy and 82 off Otago in the four-day Plunket Shield.Nathan Roux, who was T&K's previous overseas player

Pomare has also accumulated runs in two-day cricket for Bay of Plenty in the Fergus Hickey Rose Bowl and the Twenty20 Super Smash tournament.

Pomare will be replacing South African keeper-batter Nathan Roux, who pilled-up more than 1,400 league runs at an average in the low 70s during two seasons at the Recreation Ground.

Harry Passenger, the T&K captain, is confident Pomare is the right fit for the Seasiders.

“The stats don’t lie,” said Passenger.

Passenger and the team management have been busy since the 2025 season ended adding depth to the playing roster at the Recreation Ground

James Tyler, a batting and seam-bowling all-rounder, has returned to T&K four summers after he left for Abbotskerswell. Two relegations later he is back at the Rec.

Said Tyler: “I’m looking forward to joining up again with Harry. We played a lot of cricket together for Devon age groups, and I know he has some exciting plans to get the club challenging for promotion next summer. 

“Having said that, it was hard leaving Abbotskerswell after four years. It is a fantastic club with some great people and I really enjoyed my time there, despite some challenging first-team results.”

Niall McCarthy, a batter who scored three 2nd XI tons in the 2021 season during his first spell at the Recreation Ground, has also re-joined.

Passenger said he was ‘very excited’ to welcome Tyler and McCarthy back into the fold.Niall McCarthy, who has switched back to Torquay & Kingskerswell

“We all know how good James and Niall are, and how effective they can be, so just looking forward to them putting that into fruition,” said Passenger.

“I am very excited to have them back and to seeing the impact they have on both our cricket and our group.”

Passenger has other signings in the pipeline, although until they put pen to paper they remain anonymous.

“A handful of university lads, who too are stupidly talented, should be a welcome bonus come the start of the season,” said Passenger. “Also, a few signings from leagues ‘up country’.

“All in all we are buzzing for pre-season then the competitive season to see what the lads can accomplish. Bring on 2026!”