New skipper for new era at Bovey CC

Off spinner Toby Codd will return for a second stint as captain of Bovey Tracey CC’s 1st XI next season with the threat of relegation still hanging over the club.
Codd led Bovey from 2018-2020, and he takes over again at a time of transition, whichever Tolchards Devon League division Bovey find themselves in next summer.
He succeeds wicketkeeper batsman Lewis Hammett, who will continue to play, but cannot commit as completely as before after becoming a dad.
“Whether we are in the Premier or the ‘A’ Division, we’ll be giving the younger lads a really good go,” Codd told the League website.
“We’ve relied on the Bradleys (Chris and Peter), Ryan Bougourd and others for years, and it’s time for a new group to take the club forward.
“It feels like a fresh start.”
Codd is talking to a potential new overseas signing from Afghanistan and, although all-rounder Ashley Causey may be claimed by work commitments in London, most of last season’s team should still be around.
They were one of the younger squads in the Premier Division, thanks to a still-strong Colts scheme which continues to develop a steady stream of promising players at the Recreation Ground.
Bovey finished one from bottom in 2023, above North Devon, despite winning three of their first four matches.
Only A Division champions Exeter are being promoted because of an England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) ruling that bars clubs without competitive Youth sections from playing Premier cricket.
Kilmington, who finished second behind Exeter, had an appeal against that ‘block’ rejected.
That might normally have ‘saved’ Bovey, but they are currently waiting to hear what, if any, punishment they will receive for a reported visa paperwork infringement involving their Australian fast bowler Alex Bevilaqua last season. If the Home Office rule against them – no one is claiming that Bovey deliberately broke the rules – they could be hit with a hefty points deduction, which would send them down in North Devon’s place.
North Devon are obviously awaiting the outcome with great interest.
That ECB rule, which was confirmed only a few weeks before the end of last season, is causing many lower division clubs to reassess their ambitions.
There are several small but upwardly mobile clubs who don’t run Youth sections that would meet the ECB guidelines.