EXETER’S former player-coach Alfonso Thomas has accepted a similar position with WEPL side Bridgwater for the season ahead.
Former Somerset paceman Thomas is a Big Bash and Indian Premier League specialist.
After leaving Somerset in 2015, Thomas signed for Devon Premier side Exeter in a similar player-coach role.
Devon wanted Thomas to play Minor Counties cricket for them but, after a protracted battle with the Minor Counties Cricket Association, his registration was refused.
Although South African-born Thomas acquired UK citizenship last year, the MCCA said he did not meet residency requirements for registration.
Ex-Devon seamer Ryan Bougourd, who wreaked havoc for Shaldon in the D Division West last season, has rejoined Premier side Bovey Tracey.
Bougourd joined the most exclusive club in cricket when he dismissed Stokeinteignhead on his own, taking all ten wickets for three runs – all 10 were bowled. He took 51 wickets at less than five runs each
There was some big hitting with the bat too – 97 against South Brent.
Dave Haysom has left Alphington to play for Honiton in 2017. Haysom, a former right-hand man to skipper Stuart Shaw, lost his keeping spot to Mark Halse last season and was no longer guaranteed a top-four batting place.
Neil Murrin has rejoined Budleigh Salterton after two seasons with Alphington.
Murrin, a Devon O50s’ regular, is a former captain of Budleigh’s 1st XI, a job now taken by his son-in-law Trevor Anning.
Seaton’s squad has been strengthened by the recruitment of keeper-batter Matt Hewer from Sidmouth.
Hewer won’t have trouble finding the ground – he can see it from his front door.
Ben Fuzzard, a bowler and lower order batsman, has trodden the well-worn path from Axminster to Kilmington.
Left-arm seamer Will Gornall has opted against dropping down to the C Division with Dartington & Totnes and joined B Division neighbours Ipplepen.
Work commitments limited Gornall to 10 league appearances last year, during which he took 13 wickets at around 26 each,
Sandford have gone Sri Lankan for the season ahead – signing opening batter Ramesh Lakmal
The Negombo-born left-hander (26) has decent track record in English league cricket, amassing 2207 runs in the last three seasons with Heanor Town in Division Three of the Derbyshire County League.
His right-arm seamers have earned 113 wickets at 25.37 each
Lakmal has spent a couple of winters in Australia, playing for Denmark and Brisbane Saints. His stats are 34.05 average with the bat and 46 wickets at 10.87.
Other players on the move are: James Watson (Clyst Hydon to Alphington), Matt Hammett (South Devon back to Kingsbridge) Sam Dent (Kentisbeare to Clyst St George) and Nic Bolt (Exmouth to Budleigh)
Yelverton have signed South African Christiaan Vn Klienkiert.
