Devon Cricket Board - South Devon need a win in a hurry

South Devon need a win in a hurry

SOUTH Devon need to pull something out of the bag in the derby clash at Ipplepen on Saturday after slithering to a third successive defeat.

Neil Hancock top scored with 66 as South Devon made242 for seven against Axminster, who knocked the runs off with five wickets in hand and two overs to spare.

Having been second in the table a month ago, South Devon have dropped to fourth from bottom.

In a division where three sides go down this season – that’s part of the price of regionalisation brought in during the winter – South Devon are only two points clear of the drop zone.

So worrying times for skipper Jon Martin, whose bowling resources are looking a bit thin right now.

Managing without injured duo Dave Knowles and Mike Smith is hard enough; losing Sean Day on the morning of the match against Axminster didn’t help.

“He got called in to work unexpectedly and there was nothing he could do about it,” said Martin.

“We juggled things around as best we could, but with the best will in the world you can’t replace one of your best bowlers just like that.”

Axminster is a free-scoring ground so South Devon’s total of 242 for seven was not as impressive as it seems.

Ali Wright (48) and Neil Hancock (66) put on 70 for the second wicket before Axminster got the brake on through Gary Larcombe (2-40) and Matt Pile (2-43).

Before it slowed to a total crawl, Martin (58no) and Joe Kitto put on a bright and breezy 50 unbroken for the eighth wicket.

Axminster’s response was anchored by third-wicket pair Larcombe (69) and Pile (78) who put in 163.

Sam Farrow made an unbeaten 38 to conclude the chase.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773