Devon Cricket Board - Premier: Smith signs off with 160

Premier: Smith signs off with 160

BOVEY Tracey were probably glad of the rain washing out their game against visiting North Devon, which was starting to slip away from them.

Jason Smith slammed 160 off 133 balls for North Devon in his final game before heading home to South Africa to play in an U19 international tournament as the visits racked up 327 for six.

Smith and co-opener Barney Huxtable (86) rammed the Bovey bowlers for a record-breaking first-wicket stand of 263.

The previous best of 250 – set by Rick Twose and the late Ray Tolchard for Paignton and Sidmouth in 1987 – was the oldest surviving record in Premier history.

Smith smashed 18 fours and seven sixes and other than a half chance that snicked through the slips in the 30s never put a foot wrong.

He knocked Bovey skipper Peter Bradley out of the attack by hitting him for five fours in his fifth and final over.

And off-spinner Chris Bradley got some treatment too as one of his overs went for 25!

Rob Ayre, North Devon’s captain for the day in the absence of work-tied Matt Dart, said it was a top-quality innings from a top-class player.

“I would have gladly traded places to be at the other end instead of Barney Huxtable and he had the best seat in the house to watch,” said Ayre.

“From the moment I saw Jason hit Neil Hancock through mid-on for four in the first over I suspected he might be on for a big one.

“It was a brilliant knock – something for us to remember him by in the years to come.

“Some of the shots were awesome, such as the six over extra-cover off Chris Bradley after he had sixed the previous ball over square leg.

“There were more than eight overs to go when Ryan Bougourd bowled him through the gate. Had he stayed there he would have got a double hundred. No question.”

Bougourd salvaged a couple of bowling points for Bovey with five late wickets. Other than Neil Hancock and Charlie Hill, the Bovey bowlers all went for six an over or more.

Bovey were 34 for three after 12 overs when the rain came down and the game was called off. Glenn Querl had taken two of the wickets to fall.

For run rate to be used to determine the outcome, at least 20 overs had to be bowled so it was six points each plus bonuses.

Ayre said he had a nightmare vision of Bovey going hell for leather in the first 20 overs to snatch the game.

“The target was 130 or thereabouts and had Neil Hancock got going it could have happened,” said Ayre.

“I was pleased when he nicked one from Glenn and was caught behind for one.”

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