Premier Briefing – week four: Gingell and Cooke back for Sidmouth | Heathcoat a 'challenge' for Exmouth | Sandford without Anning and Hopwood

Matt Cooke – back in action for Sidmouth against Exeter

PREMIER BREIFING – WEEK FOUR

SIDMOUTH v EXETER

Luke Bess (Sidmouth): “Assuming everyone's available we will have the same team out.  With Dylan Hurst close to bowling fitness again and Matt Cooke and Nick Gingell available this week, plus a club stalwart from the last 10 years or so appearing at training, there will be competition for places moving forward, assuming we actually play some cricket!”

Exeter: Skipper Robin Fern is not available to Ben Green will lead the side.

HEATHCOAT v EXMOUTH

Peter Randerson (Heathcoat): “Same team that did not play last week for what is hopefully our first game of the season.”

Exmouth (Tim Piper): “New dad Andy Buzza is yet to come back into the fold. Apart from that, we have full availability. Heathcoat will be a good challenge this week, certainly our biggest one so far this season, seeing as they were the champions of the league in 2019. We have a lot of lads in good nick, considering how little cricket we've had and how early in the season it is. We have nothing to lose and will certainly have a chance.”

SANDFORD v HATHERLEIGH

Richard Foan (Sandford): “Two changes again this week: Trevor Anning and Ricky Hopwood are unavailable Pete Steer and Albert Grieve come back into the side. Always enjoy playing Hatherleigh they are a great club with some good players and you never get an easy game against them. Obviously hard for anyone to have any real form so just about doing the basics well and getting a good result.”

Mark Lake (Hatherleigh): "One change. Charlie Nielsen back in for Charlie Presswell, who has broken an ankle playing football. Fingers crossed we get a game in this weekend. Always good to play at Sandford, one of the best away trips of the season. They seem to have strengthened a lot this season so I'm expecting a very tough game. But teams will still be a bit rusty with not much being played so far this season."

PAIGNTON v CORNWOOD

George Benton (Cornwood): “Joel Ashworth isn't available this weekend so Rich Ashworth takes the gloves, which he's keen to do. Ollie Woodcock replaces Joel Ashworth. Ollie is a very talented young player and has looked really impressive in the games I've seen him in so far and deserves the chance of playing in the first team. Cornwood have some real quality in their side and we know we'll have to be at our best to get the result. We want to keep the momentum going and keep picking up points. Fingers crossed the weather stays dry so we can get the game in.”

Jackson Thompson (Cornwood): "We are looking forward to some competitive cricket versus Paignton. We had a good outing against them in the pre-season so looking to build on that plus some of the hard work our boys have done over the last couple of months. The spirits are high and it will be a very competitive cricket."

PLYMOUTH v BOVEY TRACEY

Lewis Hammett (Bovey Tracey):“ The guys can't wait to be out of the field and playing some cricket. Weather looks like it might be okay for Saturday, just hope the damage hasn't already been done. No team news yet. In my eyes Plymouth are a bit of a dark horse for the title race. I know they back themselves as well. Since 2019 have strengthened well. I think Degg and Hagan-Burt are quality players who look to go after it. Seen they have signed what appears to be a UK passport player (Lojszczyk) who went well in week one and interested to see him bowl. With Goodey leading the attack they will be challenging early doors.  Goes without saying Riaz is massive for them and not too sure if he is available. Spoke to Jonny (Varcoe) before the season who thought he would be for this game. My understanding was he was in Turkey, which has had further restrictions.”

Jon Varcoe (Plymouth): “One change. Joe Hagan-Burt is unavailable so Aditya Sanapala comes in. Forecast looks like we will get some cricket in finally. After two weeks off the boys are itching to get going.”