Hopes high for South Devon clubs at start of the new cricket season

Despite the wettest start to the year in recent memory, the fervent preparation for another Tolchards Devon Cricket League season was never dampened.

The diligence comes to fruition on Saturday when the 2026 programme opens. Eighteen weeks await local cricket lovers and the army of passionate and dedicated volunteers who keep the show on the road.

The start of May brings the usual mix of high hopes and expectations. And with the first wickets cut, rolled and marked in glorious Spring sunshine, this year looks as competitive as ever across all divisions.

Our local Premier Division representatives are Paignton who finally harnessed obvious potential in 2025 finishing runners-up to Bradninch and Kentisbeare. Pivotal in that success was overseas star Ayabulela Gqamane, whose league-leading 54 wickets always made them a force. And it is with great relish that Paignton welcome him back to Queen’s Park for a second season.

Gqamane will be backed in the seam bowling department by Charlie Ward and Jack Harman. The useful Cole Harford returns from Barton and brings Matt Lipton with him. Other additions include Connor Ashworth returning ‘home’ after experience in the Somerset leagues.

Another outstanding season is expected from Luke Medlock, who topped the Premier run scorers list with 709 runs in 2025. But he needs steady support from the likes of captain Harry Ward if winning totals are to be posted regularly.

Paignton commence their campaign at Exeter, who are led this year by Jon Lewis-Oliver, and will feature South African paceman Cameron Fisher as their overseas player. Expect Exeter to be strong title contenders this summer, as well as Exmouth under Fin Marks.

Bradninch and Kentisbeare will be many peoples favourites again, led by the astute Gary Chappell.

But with continued natural development, improved consistency and confidence Paignton have a golden opportunity to become Devon champions for the first time since 2005.

Torquay and Kingskerswell captain Harry Passenger has been busy recruiting and assembling a unit to win promotion from the A Division after too many inconsistent and unproductive seasons.

Former New Zealand U19 wicketkeeper batter Ben Pomare is their new overseas signing, replacing the amiable Nathan Roux. News that Devon seamer Kaz Szymanski will be available is a huge boost, alongside the return of James Tyler from Abbotskerswell, as it’s been the seam bowling department that has looked most scant.

Ed Smout-Cooper has followed Tyler across from Abbotskerswell and also returning to The Rec are Niall McCarthy and Daniel Western. Add in Jimmy Clifford, Will Begy, Kit Keey and Joe Farndale when available, from Passenger’s networking, who bring good league experience from other parts of the country.

Tobias Delahunty returns to be the focus of the 2nd XI’s run scoring in D Division West, and it’s runs that Torquay and KK 1 st XI need on a consistent basis if they are to seriously contest for the title.

They travel to Kilmington on day one in an open looking division. One that sees relegated North Devon and Heathcoat start as favourites.

Bovey Tracey will be better for last year’s experience and will want to mount a promotion challenge under skipper Seb Ansley. They take on Budleigh Salterton at home.

Barton celebrate their centenary this summer back in the B Division. The club formed when Torquay CC departed Cricketfield Road for their new home at The Recreation Ground in 1926.

At the time of writing, Barton are waiting on clearance for their overseas signing. Steve Lewis will again skipper a side needing a confidence reboot after last year’s dismal campaign when they only won once. They host Plympton on day one.

Consistency seems to be what most clubs crave and that is also the case for Jack Tolley’s Stoke Gabriel. Hard-hitting Justin Pringle will again be key to their run-scoring. He is no longer covered by the one overseas rule, allowing Stoke to bring in Australian Tyler Hunter, a top order batter who bowls. Their B Division campaign starts with a home game against Braunton.

Last season’s C Division West champions Ashburton welcome new all-rounder Santosh Yadav to Varwell Field, where skipper Lloyd White will expect Steve Edmonds to continue to pile on the runs. They host Bovey Tracey 2nds on Saturday.

C Division West is always super-competitive, with just one promotion place at stake, and is dominated by South Devon clubs. Brixham will be keen to get off to a good start especially with Mark Orchard and Tom Blundell returning ‘home’ from Paignton. Bringing Connor Bryan and George Benton with them.

Craig Eaves is back from Barton to bolster the bowling. Expect Brixham to be a force if Mohammed Shaikh scores as highly as last year. Brixham start at home to Chudleigh.

Ipplepen and Abbotskerswell are great examples of thriving clubs but need to turn around the fortunes of their 1 st XIs. Abbotskerswell have experienced back-to-back relegations and Ipplepen joined them in the drop from last year’s B Division.

The experienced Toby Codd leads Abbots, whilst Sam Wakeham will look to inspire Ipplepen as both teams face each other at Two Mile Oak. Exactly as they did on day one last season.

Elsewhere in the division, Newton Abbot based South Devon take on Cornwood 2nds as Paignton 2nds host Kingsbridge.

Teignmouth and Shaldon have been geographically moved to C Division East for 2026 but can enjoy trips to the likes of Upottery this summer. They begin at Heathcoat 2nds.

D Division West includes the 2nd XIs of Torquay and Kingskerswell, Barton, Ipplepen and Abbotskerswell. Babbacombe have dropped to E Division West where Stokeinteignhead are looking to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish.

The league runs down as far as H Division and in H Division West, St. Marychurch Old Boys will be celebrating their tenth anniversary with home games at iconic Cockington Court.

Don’t forget, the initial weeks of the season see the start of the two South Devon midweek 20-over cup competitions. The Aaron Printers Cup played on Tuesday evenings and The Brockman Cup on Thursdays. And there is the long-awaited return of the Torbay T20 competition to look forward to in mid-summer. Watch out for that on Thursdays in July.

Just a reminder that Premier, A and B Division games start at 12.30pm. Other divisions at 1pm. Premier, A and B Division matches consist of 50 overs per-side. C, D and E 45 overs. F, G, H 40 overs.

This is my fourth year bringing you weekly round-ups of local cricket and I look forward to catching up with many familiar and new faces throughout the summer.

As always, I wish all local clubs a hugely enjoyable and successful season. May the sun shine bright and the runs flow!