Tavistock turn to an elite batsman in their quest for a cracking cricket summer

Christmas is a distant and expensive memory, he weather outside is frightful, the cold and rain definitely not delightful, but the shards of summer are appearing below the surface.

In the world of sport, regional cricket clubs are awaking from their winter hibernation and beginning to think about building squads for the new season, which starts again on May 2 for the Tolchards Devon Cricket League.

Tavistock Cricket Club have set down their intentions to mount a serious campaign in the Premier Division with the acquisition of Devon County batsman Elliot Hamilton.

The 23 year-old already has bags of experience at County level, making 49 appearances for Devon in various formats, and his arrival in Tavi heaps further excitement at the club, as they look forward to their top-flight return after an 18-year absence.

Sean Cleave was the skipper who led Tavistock to their promotion last summer and he told the excellent Devon Cricket League website of his delight in recruiting Hamilton, who has previously scored over 800 runs for Plympton.

“Elliot was always our number-one target, so we’re really pleased to have got this over the line,” said Cleave. “He’s a top-quality batsman who can also make a real impact with the ball. 

“Elliot was one of the standout performers in the A Division last season, and we can’t wait to see him pulling on a Tavistock shirt this season.

“We want to give this season a real push and we go up confident under no real pressure. Bringing in someone of Elliot’s quality is going to be a huge boost as we look to pick up some crucial points.”

As well as adding Hamilton to the roster, Tavistock also have exciting teenage Pakistan all-rounder Ahmad Hassan, who played for his country in the 2024 U19 World Cup in South Africa.

“Ahmad is a batting and seaming all-rounder we are all very excited about,” added Cleave. “He played for Pakistan in last year’s Under-19 World Cup in South Africa and was named man-of-the match in their win over Ireland.”

Tavistock were promoted to the Premier Division after finishing as runners-up in the A Division, just a win behind champions Hatherleigh. The top two replaced relegated Heathcoat and North Devon.

All-conquering Bradninch & Kentisbeare will again be the side to beat at the top of Devon cricket tree, with Paignton and Exmouth completing the top three last term.

The fixture calendar has handed Tavistock the ultimate test on the opening weekend, as they will travel to the champions before a first home game against Sidmouth on May 9.

Ivybridge CC are another Moorland club looking forward to a new challenge after they won promotion to the A Division, finishing runners-up to Budleigh Salterton in an outstanding campaign.

Abraham Kopparambil (407) was the Ivies top-scorer in the season, with Zimbabwean Tinashe Muchawaya, Harry Solomon and Harvey Johnson all banging over 300 runs over the course of the summer.

Ivybridge, home to one of the most picturesque grounds in Devon, will host their 50th anniversary game in the May Bank Holiday and the young squad will be confident of mounting another strong campaign.

Moving down the Devon pyramid, Ipplepen Cricket Club are looking to steady the ship after relegation for both their teams last season, and the return of Sam Wakeham as captain of the 1st XI will help that cause.

A grim second half to their campaign saw Ipplepen 1sts slip down the B Division table and the subsequent drop into C Division West, where they will face local derbies against the likes of Chudleigh, Abbotskerswell and Teignmouth & Shaldon.

Relegation for the 1st team had a cruel consequence on the 2nds, who performed nicely to finish mid-table in the C Division West in 2025, but the Devon County rule that no two teams from the same club can compete in the same league means they also dropped down a tier.