Chris Douglas is planning to move back to St David’s as a late transfer, The Royal Gazette understands.

Douglas, who spent last season at Devonshire Rec and played two games for the First Division leaders this season since returning from school, has been planning to make the switch, though no paperwork has been submitted to the Bermuda Cricket Board.

“It hasn’t gone through the BCB yet, but he told me he’s going,” Dennis Williams, the Devonshire Rec player-manager, said. “I spoke to him personally.”

Douglas joined Rec last season from Willow Cuts and also had a stint with Cleveland. Born in St David’s, Douglas plays for them in the Eastern Counties so a move back to their league team had been anticipated, especially now that his cousin, Allan Douglas, has joined the team.

The news will be a boost for St David’s in the wake of the tragic death of Fiqre Crockwell, the wicketkeeper-batsman, last weekend.

Crockwell had been one of the stalwarts of the St David’s team, helping them to win league titles, and his loss is already being felt in the community.

Williams, whose own team is topping the First Division standings and one of the favourites for promotion, said Douglas would be a loss to the team, especially in the batting department.

“The club’s naturally disappointed because Chris is a tremendous talent who has brought a lot to us, but at the same time we wish him all the best in his future cricketing endeavours,” Williams said.

“He only played two games for us [this season], one against Warwick where he wasn’t required to bat and the loss to Flatts. Otherwise we’ve won games without him so the guys should take confidence from that and solidify our position in the table.”

Devonshire Rec strengthened their grip on top spot in the table after a 33-run win over St George’s last weekend. St David’s had their match with Cleveland rained out.

St David’s will play Willow Cuts on Sunday, looking to extend their unbeaten run in the league, while Western Stars host Southampton Rangers and Bailey’s Bay welcome Cleveland to Sea Breeze Oval.