Martin has five-year plan for Plymstock + Daymond wants to cut out lapses + Morgan realistic about Seaton prospects

Seaton skipper Ben Morgan, who wants to get on the front foot early this season

SEATON skipper Ben Morgan has realistic expectations for the season ahead in the B Division.

Last season’s new boys finished 28 points clear of the relegation places and had a50-50 record in the league.

The season ended on a high with victory over Cullompton in the Corinthian Cup final at Shaldon.

“Last season we aimed to stay in the division and achieved that,” said Morgan.

“Abbotskerswell and Bideford really dominated the division, but now they are out of the way I think it will be a bit more open.

“Tavistock will be strong, not sure about Ipplepen who seem to have lost a few, and Babbacombe who have come up with back themselves, as we know from playing them on the way up ourselves.

“With most of last season’s players still around, other than Phil Collins who isn’t playing, we would like to aim a bit higher.”

New faces are Mike Double, a left arm seamer, and medium pacer Alex Padgett.

TAVISTOCK have to cut out the lapses that potentially cost the promotion in 2017.

That’s the view of skipper Shaun Daymond going into the B Division opener against Shobrooke Park at the Ring.

The Moorlanders were eight points behind then leaders Bideford seven games into last season and pushing for promotion.

A disastrous run saw Tavvy  win just three of their next seven games and slip 28 points off the pace.

Three wins in the final five matches were not enough to repair the damage and Tavvy finished third.

“We started well, finished strongly but fell apart in the middle,” said Daymond.

“Not winning a match at all in July is what killed us and we can’t afford that to happen again.

“Everyone is another year older and wiser and we think we will be back in the mix this season.”

Daymond reports few changes in personnel, other than a new overseas arrival.

Dominic Snyman, an all-rounder from Port Elizabeth has looked nippy in the nets and competent with the bat if a warm-up 63 against Ivybridge is any measure.

HAVING bounced up and down between the A and B Division more than once on the past few years, a period of stability is needed at Plymstock.

That’s the view of new skipper Charles Martin ahead of the seasonal opener at Ipplepen tomorrow.

Plymstock have been up twice and down twice in the past five season. The were promoted in 2016 and came straight back down in 2017.

Martin, who has replaced Scott Mansfield as skipper, wants A Division cricket at Dean Cross, but when it comes it has to be sustainable.

“We are trying to put a four-to-five-year plan together and get back to being a good unit,” said Martin.

“Last year was awful and a priority this season is to win some of our early games and get our confidence back.”

Plymstock have not engaged an overseas player this season, which means no third season at the Cross for West Indian Bronte Bess.

Batter Jack Horton has left for Plympton and keeper-batter Dan Robotham is now with Plymouth.

Martin hopes to see youngster Tom Mitch have a breakthrough season as a bowler.