By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

JAMES Nicholls will skipper his current club against his former one when Plymstock make the short trip to Plymouth this Saturday.

Nicholls, an off-spinner who can also bat, joined Plymstock from Plymouth midway through the 2012 season and has been a 1st XI regular ever since.

In previous seasons Nicholls has been acting captain and vice-captain, which is how he started this season as number two to Teddy Richards.

Richards has decided to stand down due to pressures away from cricket and as vice-captain Nicholls has been asked to take over for the rest of the season.

Although Nicholls jumped at the chance to lead the side, he was also quick to pay tribute to Richards for his efforts over the past two seasons.

“I don’t think too many people know quite how hard Teddy has worked as captain to take the club to a better place,” said Nicholls.

“He did that job superbly and I see my role as building on what he has done while bringing in some of my own spin.

“For now I am captain until the end of the season, but I would like to keep the job next year and play my part moving the club forward.”

Nicholls said it would be a funny feeling making his debut as captain against Plymouth, whom he played for all the way through the colts’ set-up.

“It’s eight years since I left Plymouth and I have never been back since to play there,” said Nicholls.

“As we are playing against the 2nd XI, not the firsts who are in the next division up, I expect there will be some old faces playing from my days at Plymouth.”

Nicholls has already made his first signing as skipper, brining back middle-order batsman Adam Stevenson from Saltash.

“Adam was a colt at Plymstock then went walkabout over in Cornwall for a while, ending up at Saltash,” said Nicholls.

“He is a busy cricketer who hits the ball hard and is going to be a useful asset to the team.”

Plymstock, like every other team in south and west Devon, missed out in a game last Saturday in round one of the Devon League fixtures.

Cornwood are due to entertain Paignton and Plympton have a derby date with Plymouth 1st XI at Harewood Park.

Old adversaries Ivybridge and Cornwood clash at Fillham in West One, while in West Two Plymstock II face Yelverton and Whitchurch host Plympton II.