By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

TAVISTOCK have signed Devon batsman Elliot Hamilton to strengthen their top order for Premier cricket in the Tolchards DCL during the summer ahead.

Hamilton, who was 23 during Christmas week, has already featured 49 times for Devon across all three forms of the game. He marked his return to the county side after a sabbatical with a century in the draw with Berkshire last summer.

Tavistock return to the county’s top flight this summer as A Division runners-up. They have not played Premier cricket since 2006. The side that won promotion wants to avoid the fate of their predecessors, who went straight back down.

Hamilton’s Premier experience – 805 runs scored in 30 games played and more than 40 wickets – is more than Tavistock’s current team have between them. Only veteran Dave Manning is still around from the 2006 side.

Two successive relegations – they were in the Premier Division as recently as 2024 – have prompted Hamilton’s decision to move on. He stayed faithful to the club after their first one in the hope of preventing a slide down the ladder.

A number of clubs showed interest in luring Hamilton away from Plympton, among them Callington, who have been assembling a side to challenge for their Premier title in Cornwall.

Sean Cleave, Tavistock’s promotion-winning captain, said having identified Hamilton as a potential capture the club went flat out to sign him.

“Elliot was always our number-one target, so we’re really pleased to have got this over the line,” said Cleave. “He’s a top-quality batsman who can also make a real impact with the ball. 

“Elliot was one of the standout performers in the A Division last season, and we can’t wait to see him pulling on a Tavistock shirt this season.

“We want to give this season a real push and we go up confident under no real pressure. Bringing in someone of Elliot’s quality is going to be a huge boost as we look to pick up some crucial points.”

Harry Kandampully, the Plympton captain, said having spoken to Hamilton he understood why he was switching clubs.

“Elliot told me of his decision to move to Tavistock, where he's excited for the challenge of helping them maintain their Prem status,” said Kandampullly.

“Elliot has been a really valuable member of the Plympton team for a number of years and a top performer.

“We wish him well at Tavistock, and he knows our door is always open.”

Hamilton is the second significant signing Tavistock have made during the close season. Pakistan under-19 all-rounder Ahmad Hassan, who played in the 2024 ICC U19 World Cup in South African.

Up-and-at-‘em batter James White will be available more regularly in 2026 now he has finished his university studies are over.

With 80 league appearances under his belt, three tons, eight 50s and a batting average in the 30s, White is a useful man to have around.