B Division previews

Kilmington CC - pretty as a picture

THORVERTON entertain Ipplepen keen to bounce back from their defeat by bottom side Brixham.

Brixham have not won many games this season, but a virtuoso display from Dhanana Lakshan – 103 and three wickets – got them home by three runs in a thriller at Boundary Park.

It’s tight at the top of the B Division with just 20 points between the top six clubs. Thorverton (3rd) and Ipplepen (6th) are among the challengers.

Everyone is beating everyone else in the B Division which may make for exciting cricket but is a frustration for captains, especially Thors’ Andy Pitt.

“We need to find some consistency if we hold any hope of gaining promotion,” said Pitt.

“We were fortunate enough that a lot of other results went our way last weekend, but we can't expect to challenge if we are winning one and losing one.

“I still don't think we've been at our best in any game this year as we haven't put in a complete performance with bat and ball and the players know that.

“If any team in the division can string together three or four wins they are going to be right up there.”

Opener Alistair Chillcott is away so Ben Sapeicha returns to the XI.

Pens’ skipper Sam Wakeham wants to avoid another batting disaster along the lines of 97 not out against Plymstock.

‘We need to move on from last week and put in another good performance with the bat like we have done for most of the season so far,” said Wakeham

Ben Forsey comes back in and will strengthen the batting line up.

Kimington are not one of the promotion candidates – and have no aspirations in that direction yet.

Last season’s C East champions are one off the bottom of the table, but do have 19 points between them and Brixham in the lone relegation place.

Brett Garner, the Kilmington captain, said the acclimatisation process to a higher level is still going on, which is reflected in some changes made for the game against Cullompton.

“A few tweaks to the batting line up this week to try get better partnerships,” said Garner.

“The team is looking fairly strong this week and looking forward to trying to get a few wins this half of the season and to make sure we are able to stay up this year to build for next season.

“So far it's been a learning curve, losing a few games that we know we should have done better in, but we are relatively new to this standard.

“Hopefully we can grow-up mentally cricket wise in the second half of the season and see games out.”

Leaders Seaton, at home to Brixham, bring in Kersley Sutton and Richard Warner for Joe Berry (wedding) and Niall Waterhouse (2nds).

“Looking to bounce back after last week’s poor performance at Bovey,” said skipper Ben Morgan.