James Tyler bowling for Torquay last season<br>credit: Conrad Sutcliffe

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

ABBOTSKERSWELL have strengthened their bowling armoury for the season ahead with two mid-winter signings.

Young paceman James Tyler is on the way to Two Mile Oak from Torquay – and left-arm spinner James Vincent has switched from Cullompton to the Tolchards DCL A Division outfit.

Nick Watkin, the Abbotskerswell captain, said both signings add depth to the attacking options at his disposal.

“James Tyler is a great signing for the future and for now,” said Watkin.

“I have been really impressed with what I have seen when I've played against James and I am delighted that he has joined Abbots. 

“James will play a key role with both bat and ball in the first team and I am pleased that Abbots will be able to offer him the platform to showcase his talent.

“James Vincent is a left-arm spinner who is proven at A Division level.James Vincent, batting for Cullompton against Bovey Tracey in 2020 | Photo: @ppauk

“He took 22 wickets last year at an average of 25 in a team that got relegated and I think he will prove a great acquisition.

“I was really impressed when I encountered James on two occasions last season, not just by his bowling, but his temperament and his attitude on the field. 

“Having him to call on in 2022 is something I am really looking forward to.”

Tyler, a bowling all-rounder who has been through the Devon youth system, joined Torquay from Alphington & Countess Wear prior to the 2020 season. He had also featured for Ottery St Mary.

Tyler’s first-season league batting average in Torquay’s 1st XI 35.40 and he booked eight wickets at 26.88 each. Decent statistics for a 15 year old.

League runs and wickets proved harder to come by for Tyler in 2021. He only bowled 21 overs in nine games for the first team and struggled to reach double figures when he batted.

Tyler showed what he could do with the bat in under-19 cup cricket with an unbeaten half-century against Brixham and near misses against Bovey Tracey (45) and Woodbury and NSC (48). He averaged 21 with the bat for the Devon Development XI and had a three-wicket haul for the county against Somerset under-18s.

Mike Pugh, the cricket manager at Torquay, said he was sad to see Tyler leave the Recreation Ground.

“It is an odd move for James and no one at Torquay wanted to see him leave,” said Pugh.

“He has gone from a good club to another good club, as I know from my own time at Abbotskerswell, and we all hope he does well for them.”

Vincent’s 22 league wickets for Cully included four for 50 against Tavistock and three for 22 from 10 overs against Plympton. He has won four promotions in six seasons with Cully as they clambered from the E to the A Division between 2014-2019.

Only Jason Parr (22@26.59) was as successful with the ball for Cully last season – and he committed to Abbotskerswell before Christmas. And with bludgeoning batter Brendon Parr – he averaged 44.18 last term – also on the way out of Landspeed Meadow there are big gaps in new skipper Todd Scrace’s team plans for 2022.