Devon Cricket Board - Torquay pulling away at the top

Torquay pulling away at the top

EXETER dropped back into the Premier Division bottom two when they crashed to a 113-run defeat against visiting Torquay.
Torquay made 231 all out in the 49^th of their 50 overs – England U19 star Ben Green running in for bowling figures of six for 44.
Exeter never even got close. They stumbled to 31 for three, recovered to 73 for four thanks to a stand of 42 between skipper Miles Lenygon and Somerset’s Alex Barrow then collapsed in a heap
The last five wickets went for must 25 runs as Exeter dipped to 118 all out.
Plymouth, who were below Exeter, beat Paignton to move ahead of them by eight points.
Exeter play fellow strugglers Paignton this Saturday with the pressure on to get a win.
Green’s age means he can only bowl in bursts due to ECB rules – and his Somerset and England handlers don’t want him overbowled either.
First time round he picked off Mitch Pugh and Jack Richardson.
By the time Green returned to the attack Torquay had made progress through Matt Thompson (25), Sach Galhenage (68), Justin Yau (29) and Ryan Stevenson (33) towards a running total of 184 for five.
The key stands both involved Galhenage, who put on 51 with Yau and 76 with Stevenson.
Green got rid of Stevenson, but had to wait a while to add Joe Thompson, who was caught behind for 26.
Kazi Szymanski and Nick Watkin were polished off by Green in the space of four balls at the end.
On paper Exeter had a long batting line-up down to number 10 Ollie Sale, who has had scores for Somerset 2^nd XI this season.
The presence of Somerset staffer Barrow at four in the order was a bonus for skipper Lenygon.
Exeter fended of Devon paceman Stevenson, struggled against the change bowling of Pugh (2-14) and crumbled against spinners Matt Petherbridge (2-37) and Galhenage (2-16).
Barrow made 28 and no one else more than Lenygon’s 15.
By the time Bertus Loots knocked over tail-enders Tom Lammonby and Sale in the space of two balls it was all over anyway.

Torquay skipper Yau said it was an impressive performance by his team against one stuffed with Somerset and Devon players.

“It was the best performance of our season by a distance,” said Yau.

“We are hitting form at the right time and we just need to keep going one game at a time.

“Exeter, on paper, was the strongest side we've faced all season and the way we played was extremely encouraging.

“If I was being critical we should have scored 260 rather getting bundled out for 231, but it was as good a bowling and fielding performance in my time as captain.

“To concede only three boundaries on a rapid outfield against a team of their calibre was a good barometer of our progress.

“Matt Petherbridge changed the game by teasing Barrow out and bowling a beauty through the gate to clean up Ben Green.

“It was that spell which finished Exeter off.”

“Exeter were very complimentary at the end and I have no doubt they will string a run of wins as the season goes on.

“They are a quality side who have no chance of getting relegated in my opinion.

“There is a long way to go and our sole focus will be the next game at home which is a Heathcoat side in good form.”

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