ASHBURTON’S outgoing captain Lloyd White is convinced the club is in good place despite relegation after just one season in the Tolchards DCL B Division.
The team that pipped Cornwood 2nd XI to go up this time last season was never out of the bottom two all season and 22 points adrift by the halfway stage.
Wins over promoted sides Bideford and Stoke Gabriel showed what Ashburton were capable of, but without an overseas player bolstering the side consistency was lacking.
Visa regulations prevented Ashburton’s first-choice player travelling over from India. They were unable to find a replacement.
Back-to-back wins over Bovey Tracey 2nd XI then Bideford did raise spirits briefly in the second half of the season, but a 10-wicket pasting at Plympton proved a reality check.
For White, who is stepping down after three seasons in charge, relegation is a setback not a disaster.
“The boys have already said we’re sticking together, so I don’t foresee anyone heading elsewhere,” said White.
“It’s a great group of lads and hopefully we can keep everyone together, enjoy our cricket and have a proper crack at coming straight back up next year.”
White said being the only team in the division without an overseas player was definitely a handicap.
“We showed on our day we could compete with the best in the division, but just haven’t found that consistency often enough,” said White.
“There were too many occasions when batters ave got in without going on to make that match-defining score. With the ball we weren’t always been consistent enough to build pressure for long periods.
“At times we’ve played some really good cricket; at others, we’ve probably been our own worst enemy.
“With a decent overseas player I genuinely believe we would have been comfortably safe in the division. Unfortunately, luck was against us in that department.
“Steve Edmonds put countless hours into trying to get someone over, but with stricter Home Office rules, the stars just didn’t align.”
Top performers with the bat for Ashburton were Edmonds (399 runs), Matt Churchill (290) and White (259).
Wicket-taking was a problem area with 19 for Chris McKee and 13 each Churchill and Chris Yeo.
Signing off, White said: “Congratulations Bideford and Stoke and both Jack's, who thoroughly deserve to win the division and gain promotion respectively.
“For us, it’s been a frustrating season at Ashburton, but one that’s still had some brilliant moments.
“My final season as club captain did not end the way I would have chosen. After everything we’ve achieved over the last few years, I’ll look back on it all with a huge amount of pride. Winning the C Division and the Aaron Printers Cup are naturally two of the stand-out moments, along with plenty of others along the way.
"It’s now time for someone else to take the reins who can dedicate the time the role deserves, as my work and family commitments continue to increase. I’ll still be around, though, and whoever takes it on will have my full support."
