IPPLEPEN’S up-and-coming seam bowler Harry Alsop is on the way to Torquay & Kingskerswell next season for a crack at Premier Division cricket.

In addition to operating with the new ball for Ipplepen in the side that won promotion from the Tolchards DCL C Division West, for whom he claimed 20 wickets, Alsop appeared for the South West under-15 side at the Bunbury Festival.

The Bunbury Festival is seen as a shop window for First Class counties to run the rule over players of the future. Devonians Dom Bess, Chris Read and Lewis Gregory all graduated from Bunbury to play for England. Exeter duo Ben Green and Tom Lammonby went on to captain England at under-19 level.

No lower-division club wants to lose a player with Alsop’s potential, but Ipplepen could see it was coming a while ago.

Sam Wakeham, the Ipplepen captain, said: “It is a shame to see Harry go, but we also realise that he is a huge talent and it will be the best move for his development going forward.

“Harry could have gone last year but decided to stay and help get us promoted back to the B Division.

“I think that says a lot about him as a person. Everyone at Ipplepen wishes him all the best and we hope he isn't a stranger around the club.”

Alsop followed in the family boot marks of his father and brother into the Ipplepen first team via the club’s youth section.

Devon’s age-group coaches liked the look of the Torquay Boys’ Grammar School student, who has been on their radar since he was an under-11 player.

Alsop’s form for club and in particular county brought him to the attention of the Bunbury Festival organisers, who invited him to play in last year’s jamboree at Loughborough University.

Unusually, Alsop was selected again in 2026 and featured in four more games.

Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Toby Hard has re-joined Abbotskerswell two years after leaving the club in search of Premier cricket with Bradninch & Kentisbeare.

The move to Kensham Park did not work out for Hard who, after the briefest of lay-overs at Bovey Tracey, will be back at Two Mile Oak in 2027.