THORVERTON have brought in a coach to help their preparations for the season ahead in the Devon League B Division.
Malcolm Pavia, who has played and coached at Whimple and Cullompton, has been with Thorverton since the start of winter nets.
New skipper Andy Pitt said bringing in Pavia was part of a move to get Thorverton better organised in 2017.
Thors only just stayed up last season and Pitt wants to avoid a repeat in 2017.
“We really want to be in the top half of the table and with the young side we have got and the players coming through that should be achievable,” said Pitt.
“Last season wasn’t great and we don’t want to go through that again.
“Malcolm has come in to bring some consistency to our training and with that some fresh ideas.
“So far is has all been positive and going very well indoors.”
Thorverton are training at the Devon Cricket Centre on the University of Exeter Campus between 8-9pm on Tuesday, March 14 and March 21. Their last session before moving outside is on Thursday, March 30.
The best was to describe Thorverton in 2017 was ‘unsettled’ as they got through players and captains on a regular basis.
The 1st XI used 27 different players and had three captains; Graham White, David Baldock and Paul Fielder.
White stood down early in the season for personal reasons and was replaced by vice-captain Baldock, who had holiday plans in place based on not being captain. A broken elbow may delay White playing at the start of the new season.
Fielder stood in for Baldock when he was unavailable.
Pitt his hoping for improved availability, which he feels will be assisted by better results.
“When you are winning players are keen to get out there and make the trips to the away games,” said Pitt.
Two players who won’t be around this year are early order batsman Jamie Khan and seamer Gillam Crouch, who are heading for the Premier Division with Pitt’s best wishes.
Khan is heading for Exeter, where he has been a regular in their youth sides for the past couple of seasons anyway.
Crouch has committed himself to Heathcoat once he is home for university in Nottingham.
“Jamie has his sights set on going on playing MCCU cricket at university and needs to prove himself in the Premier Division to have a chance,” said Pitt.
“Gillam did well for us last year and has the opportunity to play Premier cricket which he has decided to take.”
Back at Station Road for 2017 is batter Gareth Hess, who has been playing in Gloucestershire.
Thors have a new overseas player lined up to replace Adrianne Morrison, who featured for them last season.
“The paperwork isn’t completed yet but the guy we have in mind is Queenslander who should be over here in mid-April to play in a couple of pre-season games,” said Pitt.
Midlander Pitt joined Thorverton midway through the 2014 season after leaving university in Cheltenham.
He played cricket in the Warwickshire League for Bronze CC, a former factory side, and gained captaincy experience at the University of Gloucester and also with Cheltenham 2nd XI in the WEPL.
He works for a leading sporting goods supplier in Newton Abbot, where cricket is a popular topic of conversation with workmate Adam Parker, who is Pitt’s opposite number at B Division rivals Barton.
