Kerton on way back to Plymstock for third stint as skipper Nicholls starts rebuilding process | 'I am looking forward to helping Jimmy's rebuilding plans for the club when I'm available'

Hal Kerton, who will be steaming in to bowl for Plymstock this season

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

PLYMSTOCK’S close-season signing spree suggests they don’t want to linger long in the Tolchards DCL C Division West.

Plymstock finished rock-bottom in the B Division last summer and were consigned to relegation alongside Heathcoat 2nd XI. 

Skipper James Nicholls has worked hard during the winter to strengthen the Plymstock squad and has completed three new signings.

All-rounder Hal Kerton has returned from Premier side Plymouth for a third stint with Plymstock, hard-hitting left-hander Atif Hussain has stepped up a couple of divisions from Plymouth CS&R and South African all-rounder Alex Karvelas has been engaged as the overseas player.James Nicholls – rebuilding at Plymstock | @ppauk

Kerton was poised to take over from Jon Varcoe as Plymouth 1st XI captain for the season ahead, but a change to his working role meant passing that opportunity. Richard Goldsby-West will lead the city side in the summer ahead.

Kerton went through the youth ranks at Plymstock and played league cricket between 2009-2013 before switching to Plymouth. He returned to Dean Cross for the 2019 season while studying at university, but was back at Mount Wise for the following summer.

Nicholls wants to see Plymstock back in the A Division sooner rather than later and Kerton is a key player in climbing two divisions to achieve that aim.

“One step at a time but the A Division has to be the end goal for us,” said Nicholls

“Hal likes what we are trying to do as a club and is in for the rebuild. He will offer the side and the club so much on and off the pitch and we are delighted to have him back."

Kerton said from a work-life balance point of view the ‘right thing to do’ was to re-join Plymstock.

“My workload has increased since my promotion around the turn of the year, which will require more hours and Saturday working,” said Kerton.

“That changed how I see my cricket and now I am looking forward to helping Jimmy's rebuilding plans for the club when I'm available.

“Plymouth is a great club with some great people. I wish Westy (Goldsby-West) and the guys the best of luck for the coming season.”Atif Hussain hits out

Karvelas, whose home-town club is Jeppe CC in Gauteng province, is another player with Premier experience on his CV.

“Alex has had two previous Premier league stints in the UK for Allscott Heath in Shropshire and Tunbridge Wells in Kent,” said Nicholls.

“He is a genuine all-rounder, who bats top order and bowls seam-up. He is also a qualified cricket coach for a day job

“Alex is a great signing for us and will add so much to the side, to training and to the colts section.”

Nicholls described Atif as a ‘destructive, middle-order batsman’ adding: “He has been very impressive in his attitude towards training and looks a good signing.”

Another bonus for Nicholls and Plymstock is the reappearance of Josh Hocken, who will be the 1st XI vice-captain.
“We have really missed Josh in the middle order as he adds some real solidity, which is something we have been lacking.”

Nicholls took last season’s relegation pragmatically and takes the view it can be necessary to take a step back before moving forward.

“I said time and again that going down was not a bad thing as we needed a restart and a refresh to our approach and attitude and we can see this happening already,” said Nicholls.

“We are still a young side, who are only going to get better, and I am really looking forward to getting out there and showing what we can do.
“If we get good availability, and prepare and perform well, we will be very hard to beat.”