Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division - Luffman talks through Plymouth run blitz

Premier Division - Luffman talks through Plymouth run blitz

THERE’S never been a game like it in the history of the Devon Cricket League – and Plymouth won it!
Budleigh Salterton broke the Premier Division all-time batting record to make 368 for three – James Burke slamming a new individual record of 196 along the way.
Exmouth with 340 for three against Exeter in 2004 held the team record while former Devon captain Nick Folland’s 188 against Bovey Tracey in 1989 was the individual highest.
James Toms and Jake Luffman then lashed centuries as Plymouth set off in hot pursuit.
Toms made 153 and his stand of 155 with Marnus Labuschange (42) kept Plymouth up with the asking rate.
When Toms was third out on 260 a stand of 104 with Luffman was broken. The target was 109 to win in 11.1 overs. Thanks to Luffman’s rapid 115 off 65 balls Plymouth did it.
Eleven off the last over was knocked off with two balls to spare.
Even so some of the hitting was phenomenal. Burke, the former Plymouth College student who travels to play for Budleigh, put one of his 11 sixes over the pavilion, over the disused railway line to Feniton Junction and into the council car park serving Lime Kiln Beach.
It’s hard to pick a match-winner out of a game like that, but Luffman’s contribution takes some beating.
Having seen his former Plymouth College team-mate Burke make 196 in a stand 205 for the first wicket with ex-Devon captain Bob Dawson (94), Luffman felt there was no harm in having a go at getting the runs.
“James Burke was awesome and when he was out there with Bob Dawson you saw too serious cricketers at work,” said Luffman.
“I don’t known how many sixes Burkie hit (11), but four of them off Rob Button were the biggest blows I have ever seen on a cricket pitch anywhere!
“It was a massive total to chase, but we had scored 300-plus three times already this season and thought it was worth having a go.
“It is win lose cricket and we would rather die trying then potter along to 200 for four.
“James Toms was magnificent – no other word for it – and the longer he was out there the better our chances.
“Marnus was run-out by a direct hit throw from deep mid-wicket by Harry Parkin and that was a bit of a worry as he was going well.
“Tomsie just kept on going and by the time he got out with just over a hundred needed we were in too far to give it up.
“I got hold of a few and then Sam Stein came in and batted really well at the end to finish it off.
“We needed 11 to win off the last over and the first ball was a full toss down the leg side. I got just enough bat on it to hit it for six.
“We took a single next ball then Sam chipped the ball over the infield twice and we ran through for a couple of twos.”
Skipper Matt Hooper agreed it was hard to pick a man of the match, but he gave it to Luffman by a short head.
“James has a hunger for runs, a steely desire that underpins every performance and he is a great team man,” said Hooper.
“James made getting 150 look very easy and he gave us great momentum - I wouldn't swap him for any player in this division.
“Jake Luffman is playing at an exceptional standard at the moment and is starting to play to the potential we all know he has.
“His innings was arguably the best of the day, he won it for us and some of his hitting was the best I have ever seen.
“Sam Stein's cameo at the end was also crucial and it followed a great bowling performance from him.
“It is great to have batting all the way down and his two sixes were as important as any of the ones hit during the day.”

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