PAIGNTON skipper Mike Pedley wants to see his side stay on course for promotion with a win over lowly Brixham in the derby clash at Queens Park.

Last Saturday's win over Abbotskerswell shoved Paignton back to the top of the table at the expense of Braunton, who lost at Barton.

Paignton's lead is only four points though and if they want to stay top of the shop they have work to do against Brixham.

"None of us can understand how the same side that finished third in this division last season can be where they are now," said Pedley.

"Brixham have some cracking youngsters – players any club would welcome with open arms – and sooner or later they will come good.

"What we have got is a potential banana skin if we don't stay totally focussed.

"We aren't good enough to turn up and win a game without putting everything in – we found that out the hard way when Heathcoat beat us a couple of weeks ago. When we stopped concentrating, we got beaten."

Paignton welcome back opening batsman Seb Benton, fresh from a Lord's appearance with Cardiff UCCE in the final of the MCC Universities Cup. Cardiff beat Leeds-Bradford UCCE by three wickets.

Benton's availability has been sketchy in the first half of the season as Cardiff had first call on him. Now the university term is over Paignton can expect him to play in their last nine games.

Benton's return is well timed as left-hander Simon Edwards is missing due to family commitments.

As Benton is an out-and-out opener, Pedley will jiggle the batting order to accommodate him.

AN old face is back in Abbotskerswell's side for the long trip to deposed leaders Braunton.

Aussie all-rounder James McMahon was a hugely popular figure during his time at Two Mile Oak, which started when he switched from South Devon for the 2003 season and ended in 2006.

McMahon is taking an extended holiday over here to fit in some cricket either side of former team-mate Steve Short's wedding on August 1, the day Abbots are due to play Barton.

Given the sort of up-and-down season Abbots have been having, partially dictated by the club's patchy availability problems, skipper Marcus Green is glad to have McMahon in the teamsheet for the next five weeks.

"Macca is a quality player with bat or ball and having him around is only going to do us some good," said Green.

"We are in a funny position as a club as we have a number of players of a certain age who all have young families and can't give up every Saturday to cricket.

"Ten years ago when a few of us were playing together down at Torquay we had different priorities and wouldn't dream of missing a game. Times change, which makes it difficult for a captain trying to get a strong team on the pitch every week."

Short's stag weekend in Bournemouth last Saturday robbed Green of the prospective groom, Alun Lewis and Danny Full. All three are back tomorrow, as is Mark Hulse.