Tavvy captain Daymond wary of promotion talk | 'We're just looking to enjoy our cricket and be competitive so let's see where it takes us'

Kian Burns, who will be clubbing the bowling for Bridestowe again this season

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

TAVISTOCK skipper Shaun Daymond has avoided the temptation to predict an immediate return to the A Division this summer.

The Moorlanders won three games in May last summer– Barton, Cullompton and Seaton – and only won once more in their remaining 13 games.

That record suggests there is some rebuilding to do, which may explain why Daymond is being restrained.

“We're just looking to enjoy our cricket and be competitive so let's see where it takes us,” said Daymond.

“Looking to put out the best side we can and to be competitive.”

Tavistock have lost Lee Baker back to Cornwood after one season and 29 wickets.

Dominic Snyman is back from South Africa as the overseas player for a second spell. He took 26 wickets at less than 18 each and averaged 24 with bat in hand.

James White, Ben Evans and Jack Smyly are away at university until early June and won’t feature.

Will Scott-Munden has agreed to play 1stXI cricket this season, which, Daymond said, ‘is a massive boost to the batting line-up’. 

Scott-Munden scored nearly 600 league runs in the second team last season at an average in the 40s. He only appeared in the 1stXI three times… and averaged 40 there.

BRIDESTOWE enter unknown territory this summer as they are in the B Division for the first time since they joined the DCL in 2004.

Last season’s C West champions have been there or thereabouts for a while now and their elevation was no surprise to their rivals.

Tom Fogerty, the brother of captain Dan Fogerty, is the only significant departure from the promotion-winning side. He has gone back to Lansdown in Bath and left a 300-run deficit in the batting stats.Jack Hatton

“Tom will be a big miss, but I am sure the lads will be able to take over his role,” said skipper Dan.

New players coming in are Kian Burns, who played National Counties cricket for Cornwall last season while with Callington, and Ollie Herrington. The latter is an all-rounder who has switched from Chagford.

Bridestowe hope to see a little more of Tallan Burns and Jack Hatton this season and may get a guest appearance or two out of Billy Searle.

Searle, 26, went through the Devon age-group system and played a handful of Premier games for Exeter before plumping for a career in professional rugby instead. He recently signed a contract extension with Premiership giants Worcester Warriors.

Having gone through the divisions to reach tier three, skipper Fogerty has no desire to start going backwards.

“After going up last year we just want to keep momentum going and see what we can do,” said Fogerty. “Obviously, staying up is the main focus.”