Bradninch skipper warns team not to get complacent

LEADERS Bradninch reach the halfway stage this Saturday when they host Plympton.

Plympton only clambered out of the relegation places last Saturday by beating Barton, but Bradninch skipper Tim Piper believes their position was a false one.

“I think Plympton are better than their start to the season suggests,” said Piper.

“I can't believe they are playing to a similar standard as the teams around them and think they should comfortably finish in the top half of the table.

“On paper at least, they look one of the tougher games.”

Bradninch have only lost once this season, but Piper is wary of sticking his neck out too far.

“We have just had three very easy fixtures and the games will be tougher for the next few weeks,” said Piper.

“Last week was a good opportunity to give a few people a chance to get some match practice, which should help.”

Having messed up on the final lap to promotion last season, Piper is cracking down on any complacency in the camp.

“It has been an issue in the past at Bradninch whilst we have been in the A Division,” said Piper. “We are really fed up of it now though and will try to avoid making the same mistakes.”

Bradninch will be without early order batter Dan Hardy, who will be watching football in France instead.

Hardy bought a ticket for England’s anticipated quarter-final game against France, not expecting Iceland to spring a shock on Monday night.

It seems Hardy wasn’t quite as keen to go once England were knocked out as he left his passport at home and only realised when he reached the Euro Tunnel check-in at 2am on Friday morning.

“Dan rang me at two in morning saying he’s forgotten his passport and needs it up there by 2pm today. 

“I had to break into his house, then persuade a random train manager to take his passport up to London with them.”

Plympton are likely to be without skipper and keeper Dan Robotham, who suffered an ankle injury in the Euro Shopper Devon Cup win over Plymstock last Sunday.