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Posted:
Friday 17th July 2009
Source: Stephen Birley
Saturday July 18 sees the Francis Clark Devon Cricket League
reach the two thirds played mark of the campaign and the midweek
weather (following the previous weekend’s complete wash out
across the 15 Divisions of the 1st and 2nd XI competitions) does
leave question as to whether (no pun intended) match day 12 will
also be hit by the elements.
Bradninch 1st XI have a
massive meeting with Sandford in a Mid Devon derby.
Interestingly, when the two sides met at Kensham Park on match
day two of the season the home side won the all important toss
on a weather hit wicket and that proved to be decisive.
No doubt given the amount of rain we have had this week it will
be a similar story at Creedy Park although they do have roll on
and roll off covers at Sandford and that may have helped protect
the wicket.
Whatever the conditions the fact is that this
is a huge game. After Saturday Joel Murphy’s men will have six
to play with all the top three of Sidmouth, Budleigh and
Plympton amongst them, factor in a visit to the County ground in
Exeter and it is a tough run in, so getting as many points as
possible, whilst also hopefully adding a nail to the Creedy Park
side’s top-flight coffin, is paramount on Saturday afternoon.
It is also a big game in every sense of the word for Richard
Foan. ‘Bruiser’ has had a miserable time with the bat since his
return to his original cricketing roots but did score a
sparkling half-century for the Devon Board XI against
Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Exmouth a week ago and he may well
fancy his return to former club Sandford as the ideal platform
from which to show what he does best – score runs a plenty.
The 2nd XI are drinking in the last chance saloon in terms
of their brave bid to climb up into the top-flight of the 2nd XI
competition.
The visit of unbeaten to date, played nine
and won nine, Paignton II presents a very real challenge. One
that a home victory will make suitable headlines and confirm the
side as genuine promotion hopefuls, whilst an away win will
cement the South Devon’s place as a ‘cert’ for a top two finish
and leave Phil Chappell and his men looking to either overhaul
the other promotion ‘favourites’, Cornwood or indeed target
being the ‘best of the rest’ behind the top two.
The
Sunday XI also have a big date in their quest to escape the
relegation spot they occupy in the North Devon Holiday Homes 1st
Division. Eliot Acton’s side travel to Instow to meet a North
Devon side who will be aware that if they were to lose this game
then they would have to completely give up any hope of regaining
the title they last won two years ago. Given the success upon
success of recent seasons this is one of those weekends when the
club’s 1st XI are heading into two huge games - we wish them
well.
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