Devon Cricket Board - NEW: Torquay against Exmouth reaction

NEW: Torquay against Exmouth reaction

EXMOUTH are looking strong ahead of the derby clash with Budleigh after hoisting a 69-run win over Torquay on the Recreation Ground.

Exmouth raced to 302 for eight in their 50 overs –Seb Benton making his first century since arriving at the club from Paignton – then held Torquay to 233 for eight in reply.

There were runs at the top of the Exmouth order for Sandy Allen (72 off 65 balls) and a chip-in of 35 from 27 balls from Gary Chappell.

Torquay were 20 for two in reply after losing Tim Western and Mike Wilkinson, but started to fightback through Matt Thompson (76) and Des Kruger (30).

Torquay steadily fell behind the asking rate all the time though and were fading fast when Thompson was sixth out at 191 to Vamshidar Parvathaneni (3-46).Despite Mark Gilmour’s 41 they were well adrift at 233 for eight.

If there was a downside for Exmouth it was losing David Lye before he got off the mark to a ball in the face. No blame was attached to bowler Ben Passenger for a delivery which reared off the pitch.

Lye went to hospital to be stitched up and didn’t return to the game. However he did bat for Devon on Sunday at Redruth against Cornwall, but only briefly as he was out lbw first ball.

Losing Lye, one of Exmouth’s second string bowlers, also coloured the thinking of Exmouth skipper Richard Baggs, who opted not to declare early and go for the extra two points on offer.

“I would have declared if we had 11 to field, but thought it best to just win the game and move on to next week,” said Baggs.

“It was hard work fielding with 10 all innings, so pleased to walk away with 19 points.”

For Torquay the game was a rude awakening after the win over Exeter seven days earlier.

Skipper Passenger said Exmouth gave a text book display of how to win a 50-over game of cricket.

“Exmouth went after us from the start – Sandy Allen smashed it – and could then wait for the bad ball to come along,” said Passenger.

“We had some control when Dan Kruger and Des Wightman were bowling, but Exmouth kept wickets in hand and were able to go for it in the later overs.

“I was pretty pleased with our batting, given how strong Exmouth’s bowling attack is.

“Ultimately we took nine points out of the game for runs and wickets and while that’s not brilliant it is acceptable.

“We will look to do better against Plymouth this Saturday.”

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