Inder Singh – who impressed against new club Abbots with five wickets last time they met

ABBOTSKERSWELL have strengthened their squad significantly for the Tolchards Devon Cricket League season ahead by snapping-up the Singh brothers from Clyst St George.

Abbots spent most of last season trying to stay out of the bottom two in the A Division – and finished one place clear of the drop spots.

Clyst, newly promoted from the B Division, were not so fortunate as they went down together with Budleigh Salterton, who have never been out of the top two divisions since joining the DCL in 1980.Par Singh – has signed for Abbotskerswell

The Singhs showed-up well in Clyst’s end-of-season bowling statistics – Parminder claimed 30 wickets at less than 19 apiece, Inder 18 at a little under 23 runs each – and have been welcomed with open arms by Abbots’ skipper Nick Watkin.

“I am delighted to get Inder and Parminder on board,” said Watkin.

“They combined for nearly 50 A Division wickets last season in a team that got relegated, which is some achievement. 

“I was so impressed with both of them last year when we came up against them and I think they will be a huge asset to us in 2024.”

Parminder Singh’s best day of the 2023 was in Clyst’s away game at Abbotskerswell, when his career-best haul of five wickets for 19 runs included dismissing Watkin and four more of the top six batters.

Also on the way to Two Mile Oak for the 2024 season is Aussie all-rounder Ethan Lamers.

Lamers is an opening batsman who also bowls off-spin if needed. His home club is Outtrim, who play A Grade cricket in a Victoria Districts competition.

Although Watkin was rumoured to be standing down as captain at the end of last season, after five years in the post, he has signed-on for another summer.

“I didn't plan on staying on, but club was unable to find an alternative so I agreed to stay on,” said Watkin.

[O] MUCH-travelled batsman James Fulner has re-joined Chagford for the 2024 season after a brief return to Teignmouth & Shaldon, which is another of his former clubs.

Also on the way to Chagford in the summer ahead is Ricky Hopwood, who arrives from Sandford with an impressive cricketing CBV.

Hopwood, who will be 35 when the new season starts in May, went through the Durham youth system all the way to the county academy, and played 12 times for the county second team.

Hopwood made a couple of appearances for MCC Young Cricketers before stepping into Minor Counties cricket with Northumberland and then Buckinghamshire.

Sandford never saw the sort of form that produced 44 for the Minor Counties XI against MCC at Lord’s, or two tons for Buckinghamshire, as outside commitments meant he only made nine league appearances in three summers at the club.