Hal Kerton - back for Plymouth<br>credit: http://www.ppauk.com/photo/1042711/

THE big game in the Premier Division isn’t at the top but at the bottom where Plymouth host Torquay.

Plymouth (136pts) are rock bottom and have to get ahead of Torquay (146) and Heathcoat (147) to reach safety.

Torquay don’t  have too much room for error, but Plymouth could be doomed if they lose and Heathcoat win at Sidmouth.

The significance of the game wasn’t lost of Plymouth skipper Sam Stein, who said:  “We are leaving it very tight to scrape relegation.

“We know it's not too late to survive but we need to start putting a few wins together.

“We bowled and fielded brilliantly last weekend (against Paignton) we now just need to focus on scoring more runs to give ourselves the best possible chance.”

All-rounder Hal Kerton is back from holiday and paceman Dan Goodey is back too.

Justin Yau, the Torquay captain, said: “Both teams need a win so I imagine it'll be extremely competitive.

“We are in a position now where we need other results to go our way. All we can do is try and win our games and see what happens.”

All-rounder Mitch Pugh and spinner Dan Wightman are back to assist Torquay.

BOVEY Tracey can move a step closer to winning the Premiership if they beat North Devon.

A win on its own won’t  be enough unless Bradninch slip up against Paignton, but would leave just a handful of points to gain from the last two games, which are against Heathcoat and Exmouth.

Bovey are at full strength apart from the continued absence of pacer Hugo Whitlock due to injury.

Andy Fairbairn, keeper Lewis Hammett and seamer Chris Yabsley are all back in after missing the defeat by Bradninch last time out.

Ash Causey, Will Christophers and Sam Taylor drop down to assist the 2nd XI.

“The three we have brought back in, have shown consistency and control with bat and ball throughout the season,” said skipper Peter Bradley.

“That has been key to our success so far this season. Batting in partnership and building pressure with the ball.”

On the challenge of tomorrow’s match against a side not out of relegation danger yet, Bradley said: “North Devon will be fighting every ball, so we must match them with energy, concentration and will to win.”

North Devon will have one of the Overton twins playing having failed in an attempt to get both cleared to play.

Fielding First Class players is tightly controlled in the Devon League, even where home-grown players such as the twins are concerned.

North Devon have been told they can only play one of the twins. Which one it is has not been confirmed.

“I have a full squad to chose from, which hasn’t happened much this season, and we are relishing playing the league leaders,” said North Devon captain Ed Yeo.

It’s not been a great week for North Devon as they have had five points deducted for fielding an un-registered player against Plymouth last Saturday.

TOM Lammonby comes back from his staring role with England Under-19s to boost Exeter for the clash with Exmouth on the County Ground.

Lammonby was man of the series for England in the mini-series played earlier this month. He scored more runs (151) than any other player over all five matches, including a half-century at Bristol.

India won the series 5-0.

Exeter need a win to preserve or improve the 13-point differential between them and the relegation places.

Beating second-bottom Torquay last Saturday helped, but it is the next game not the last one that matters now.

“We performed well in a pressure game last week, hopefully we can do the same again,” said skipper Miles Lenygon.

“Exmouth have showed again this season they're still a very good side.”

Exmouth are strengthened by the returns of batter Jon Evernett against his former club, all-rounder Dan Pyle and seamer Alvin Pollard.

PAIGNTON have opted not to appeal against the two-match suspension imposed on Tristan Coetzee for his reaction to being dismissed in the game against Heathcoat last Saturday..

Coetzee will miss tomorrow’s match against Bradninch and the derby date with Torquay on August 26.

The ban expires in time for Coetzee to play against Exeter in the final match of the season.