B Division: Baldock has a price on his head + could to better says Crabb

THORVERTON’S Dave Baldock is a man with a price on his head in the derby clash with Shobrooke Park.

Baldock, who has just been appointed temporary first team captain at Thorverton while Graham White takes a break, has the happy knack of making runs against Shobrooke.

Baldock’s recent form is pretty good too with 89 against Braunton, 61 against Plymstock and 87 against Ottery St Mary.

“Dave Baldock always gets runs against us and as he is in form it would be good to get him early,” said Shobrooke skipper Chris Simpson.

Baldock may be in form, but Thorverton have yet to win a game this season.

Last time out they lost by at Braunton, who chased down 225 to win with six wickets intact.

Baldock was supported by Jamie Khan (41) and Andy Pitt (23) in a total of 224 all out, but Thors lacked the bowling firepower to deal with former Sandford and Devon left-hander Neil Bettis, whose knock of 60 was decisive.

Shobrooke, seven-wicket losers against Tavistock, also had bowling issues.

Ben Trenaman comes back in and spinner Tom Youngman is added to the XI.

Opener Jon James returns to strengthen the batting.

“We were disappointing last week and know if we play like that we'll get beat,” said Simpson.

“I am sure the lads are pumped for this one.”

For Thorverton, Luke Ashbury and Randolph Harvey-Kelly are both unavailable and White is taking a week off after stepping down.

George Greed and Harry Choules both return after missing last week and Will Denford is hopeful of making his first appearance of the year following injury.

The derby games with Shobrooke are always the hardest-fought of the year and usually produce a close result,” said Baldock.

“It would be the ideal weekend to pick up our first win of the season.”

OTTERY St Mary take on high-flying Ivybridge with skipper Rob Crabb looking for an improvement despite beating Dartington & Totnes last time out.

South Afridan Ed Verrall top scored for D&T with 48 in a total of 152 all out. Harry Baxendale was next best on 33.

Mickey Wilkinson top scored for Ottery with 42 and George Biggs made 39.

The Ottery captain, said: “It was a poor batting performance by us, but we did enough to limp over the line.

“Losing a wicket first ball did not help.”

Ivybridge are without Josh Zimmerman and Harry Solomon, but in come Abraham Kopparambil and Chris Greenhouse.

“They are waiting on the fitness of Gareth Andrews after he hurt a hand dropping a catch at South Devon.

Kelvin Trent, the Ivybridge captain, said the team won at South Devon without hitting top gear and are unlikely to be that fortunate again.

“We didn't bat as well as we could have last week and were a bit off with bowling/fielding- but got the job done,” said Trent.

“We will need to be at our best this week to beat a very useful Ottery St Mary side who are going well.”

SOUTH Devon will be without bowling all-rounder Mike Smith for their trip to leaders Plymstock,

Smith ripped shoulder ligaments fielding in the defeat by Ivybridge last Saturday and is out for a while.

Teenage seam bowler Joe Kitto is the likely replacement for Smith, if he is free from work commitments.

Last time out South Devon dipped to a 37-run defeat against Ivybridge.

BIDEFORD, who lost top spot when they were beaten by new leaders Plymstock, make the short trip to Braunton.

Josh Atkinson comes back in, recovered from a back injury and Chris Luxton  drops back to help the 2nd XI.

Braunton are unchanged and up for the game after beating Thorverton.

“Looking forward to a local derby after a decent performance against Thorverton when the guys paced the chase really well,” said Braunton skip Jon Baglow