Axminster 2nd XI have been battling against all the odds this season to date and it is to their credit that they continue to play week in and week out, writes Stephen Birley.

The Cloakham Lawns 2nd XI have been forced to field teams of ten, nine and even – on one occasion – six – to complete Tolchards Devon League games.

The reason for the shortages of players is simply down to issues like school exams, players working, others travelling and some at University.

The situation is getting better and Axminster chairman Peter Kiy is confident the club will soon be fielding two full eleven’s on a regular basis.

He said: “Throwing the towel in and letting the 2nd XI fold was never an issue and we have been grateful for the words of support we have received from opposition teams at 2nd XI level. The bottom line is that we have had a lot of players unavailable at the same time, but things are improving by the week. It’s not been easy and it is to the credit of the players that the team has battled on. I am sure we’ll be back to two full elevens very soon.”

One big positive to come from what has been a difficult start to the season for the team is that some of the club’s younger players have been able to gain league experience.

Three 13-year-old players, Bradley Conway, Joe Elsworth and Max Helston have now all managed to score their first senior league runs and also each one of them has claimed their first senior league wicket.

As for the club’s first eleven, after a couple of season’s of success they are now adjusting to life in what looks a very competitive B Division. On Saturday they bagged their first win of the campaign, denting the previously unbeaten record of table-topping Chudleigh!