By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

TORQUAY & Kingskerswell have seen-off competition from rival clubs to sign up-and-coming all-rounder Josh Thompson for their anticipated promotion push in the Tolchards DCL A Division.

Thompson, who turned 18 just before Christmas, has been making a name for himself in lower-division cricket for some time.

Two years batting and bowling high-up for Babbacombe in the C and D Divisions honed skills first seen in adult cricket with Ipplepen. He notched more than a thousand league and cup runs during his time at Wallis Hill – and bagged 61 wickets.

Thompson’s man-of-the-match performance in last season’s Brockman Cup final, where his rapid knock of 80 helped Babbacombe defeat Ipplepen 2nd XI in the final, put him top of the wish list for numerous clubs in the South Devon area.

Torquay & Kingskerswell, where Thompson started out as an eight-year-old rookie in age-group cricket run by Justin Yau and Ben Passenger, soon emerged as favourites to sign him.

“Josh took his time weighing up a crazy number of offers as approximately 10 clubs – including Premier ones contacted him,” said dad Marcus Thompson. 

“Tim Western and Mike Pugh (T&K coaches) have been very supportive towards Josh and helped him over the last few years. They were a big reason why Josh chose Torquay. He’s also excited about playing under Harry Passenger.”

Passenger, currently out in New Zealand playing cricket, is equally ‘excited’ about having Thompson in his squad.

“It is exciting having Josh back at the Recreation Ground,” said Passenger.

“Josh has been impressing across the board at club and county level, so buzzing to see the impact he’ll make on our side.”

Thompson junior has moved around a bit in recent seasons. Thompson senior said his son has gained valuable experience everywhere he has been.

“Josh moved from Torquay to Ipplepen to play with his Devon team-mates and he thrived,” said Marcus.

“Ipplepen are a fantastic club and they gave Josh lots of opportunities to shine. Leaving Ipplepen for Babbacombe was a tough decision, but it meant Josh would have the opportunity to open the bowling and bat up the order.

“During his two seasons at Babbacombe, Josh has been given amazing support by everyone – and first-team captain Rob Redding has helped to nurture his talents.

“Josh’s Babbacombe performances helped him grow in confidence and he started to open the bowling for Devon under-16s and then under-18s. He did this across all three formats and finished as Devon bowler of the year two years in a row.

“Now feels like the right time for the next challenge. Playing for Torquay & Kingskerswell gives Josh the chance to test himself in the A Division.”

[O] Torquay & Kingskerswell have confirmed that South African Nathan Roux will be returning to the Recreation Ground this summer for a second stint as the club’s overseas professional.

Roux, who will be 27 by the time the new season gets under way in May, has been playing First Class and Twenty20 cricket for Border since returning home at the end of last summer.

Roux scored more than 800 league runs in 13 trips to the middle at an average of 89.11. The best of his three centuries was the unbeaten 134 he made against Abbotskerswell.

Torquay & Kingskerswell have also recruited New Zealander Tobias Delahunty, who is a left-arm spinner and batsman. He is currently playing alongside skipper Harry Passenger for Weedons CC in the Canterbury County Competitions.

ECB regulations relating to youth cricket and governance prevented Torquay & Kingskerswell from being promoted to the Premier Division in 2023 and 2024.

Passenger said all the boxes are ticked now and promotion is the target.

“I am buzzing to get back hit the ground running, with a slightly different team, and set our sights on promotion,” said Passenger.