Bovey turning to Dads' Army due to availability headache

Missing - Bradninch left-armer Ross Acton

DON”T be surprised to see veteran batsman Derek Perry in depleted Bovey Tracey’s side to face Bradninch.

Kiwi Perry, who played a handful of games for Centre Districts in his prime nearly two decades ago, has been skippering the 2nd XI in recent seasons.

Bovey, who are closing in on the Premier 1st XI title, are woefully short of numbers due to counter attractions such as he Boardmasters festival in Cornwall this weekend.

So Perry may get the summons, although there is also a case for including veteran spinner Jeremy Christophers, ex-Devon in his salad days, who had seven wickets in the 2nd XI last Saturday.

Pete Bradley, the Bovey skipper, is happy to say who isn’t playing. Who comes in is mostly something he is keeping up his sleeve.

“The club is at least 20 players light this Saturday, but we have still managed to raise four teams though, which is a massive credit to the club,” said Bradley.

“Those unavailable involved in the 1st XI squad include, Fairbairn, Hammett, Sheen, Causey, Will Christophers, Yabsley and Whitlock.

“That does stretch us, but we have got Sam Taylor coming in to keep wicket, and Tom Andrews back up from the 2nd XI after scoring runs.

“We may also call upon some experience from the 2nd XI, for a one-off.”

Bovey are 51 points clear at the top of the table – Bradninch are second - and as good as Premier champions already.

Bovey will be champions tomorrow night if they win and Exmouth lose against Sidmouth.”

The odds on a Bradninch upset look long as skipper Gary Chappell has fessed up to being short handed and reluctant to burgle the second team.

“Ross Acton is away and I doubt Dan Hardy or Charlie Walker will be playing again this year,” said Chappell.

“The second team need a couple wins so it's not right to take their best players, which leaves us a little light in terms of depth.

“Not ideal when facing top of the league, but we still have a lot of quality so hopefully we can delay the title celebrations a bit longer.”