Devon Cricket Board - B Division - Bridgers win last-ball thriller

BARNSTAPLE lost by three runs to B Division promotion pushers Ivybridge in a thrilling finish.

Barum needed four to win from the last three balls with three wickets in hand – and lost the lot in the attempt.

Crucially, James Thomas was run out for 37 when seemingly well set. Jeewan deSilva then bowled Lee Cole for 23 and Sean Cole swinging first ball.

Earlier, Tom Popham (56) and brother Jack (26) had given B&P a 67 run start, then Brady Saunders (59) and Tom Popham added another 66 as the chase hotted up.

There was a sudden stumble from 145 for two to 161 for six as deSilva (4-38) got stuck in, but Lee Cole and Thomas appeared to have swung the game with their stand of 65 in nine overs.

Ivybridge had made 229 for eight in 45 overs thanks to 66 from deSilva, Jake Zimmerman with 34 and Chris Greenhouse with 29 not out. Tail-ender Paul Veale swung the bat for 22 off 11 balls at the end, which proved crucial.

There were two wickets each for Thomas, Jack Popham, George McEndoo and Danny Donovan.

CHUDLEIGH remain on course for the second promotion spot in in the B Division behind champs-in-waiting Lewdown after workmanlike five-wicket win over Alphington.

Dinesh Raheja made 100 not out off 128 balls the hard way with just nine fours and no sixes in Alphington’s 205 for seven.

Along the way there was a stand of 69 for the third wicket with Tom Bath (31). Ben Ireson (9) and Anthony Shepherd (5) hung around at the end while Raheja was largely responsible for making 53 in the last six overs.

Jon Martin (2-45) and Sean Day (2-56) took wickets while Matt Ball, Rob Clarke and Jack Vittles all kept it below four an over.

Chudleigh had on minor wobble between 47 and 55 when Ed Forman and Dan Britcliffe went in quick succession to Bath (2-35).

Scott Schaw (62) and Mark Solway (43) added 83 and after they went at 138 and 150 respectively Day (34no) saw it through with Clarke (14) and Dan LeMarquand (11no) for company.

Chudleigh stay two points clear of Ivybridge in the race to go up with Lewdown. The route to the finishing line takes them to Tavistock this Saturday.

Alphington remain one off the bottom, two points behind Stoke Gabriel and safety, and need a win over doomed South Devon this Saturday.

Alphas skipper Stuart Shaw said his team didn’t score enough runs, which against two of the top bowlers in the division in Day and Martin was hardly surprising.

“Two hundred at least gave us a chance of winning and had aew more chances gone to hand could of been a different story,” said Shaw.

“We played in rain for 10-12 overs which didn't help our cause.

“Now we need to win at least two out of our last three games to be safe.”

TEN-man South Devon – they travelled one short to Lewdown – were no match for the champs in waiting.

Marco Marais slammed 190 in a hurry – eight sixes and 14 fours – as Lewdown amassed 371 for six declared in 41 of their 45 overs.

There was a stand of 202 for the fourth wicket between the South African hard-hitter and Mark Jordan (56).

South Devon were short of bowling to say the least. Richard Beaumont’s two for 56 was respectable under the circumstances.

Ryan Maunder did his best to fill in some missing overs and no one in the South Devon camp could complain that he went for 121 in seven, although he did pick up two wickets.

South Devon were spared too much more punishment by tea-time rain, which meant they only had to bat for 24 overs.

Skipper Jonty Parsons made 33, Adrian Hewings had 32 and Beaumont was 30 not out.

South Devon are now officially relegated, but with Alphington, Shobrooke Park and Stoke Gabriel still to play will have a say in who goes with them.

PAUL Fielder and David Baldock both hit centuries as Thorverton trounced Shobrooke Park by 130 runs in the mid-Devon derby.

Although Fielder made 113, pride of place in the scorebook went to vice-captain Baldock for his rapid 126 not out.

It was Baldock’s first league century – he didn’t score one for former club South Devon before moving to Thorverton last season – and took him just 77 balls to compile.

Fielder and Baldock put on 205 for the fourth wicket in a total of 330 for four.

“Theirs was a solid batting performance that emphasised the importance of practise as Paul and Dave have been increasing the amount of middle practise over the last few weeks,” said skipper James Hope.

Shobrooke promptly collapsed to 43 for four in reply and from then on there was only going to be one winner.

Chris Simpson made 40 while skipper Chris Ford made a slow 30 not out and Phil Anning chipped in with 43 as Shobrooke secured all five batting bonus points in a total of 202 for nine.

The wickets were shared around with Cody Griggs (2-34) and Jake Choules (2-37) having the best of the figures.

“Bowling wise, we needed to ensure we bowled our 20 overs quickly as there was rain around,” said Hope.

“We did but the ball went soft and Shobrooke dug in and took advantage of a few catches that slipped out of hands.”

Hope’s champagne moment in the field was seeing Graham White take his first catch of the season – one which was well worth waiting 15 games for.

On paper Thorverton (185pts) and Shobrooke (177) both sit in mid-table, although appearances can be deceptive.

Although South Devon are definitely down, any one of Thorverton, Shobrooke, Barnstaple (164pts), Stoke Gabriel (155) or Alphington (153) will be going with them.

“Graham finally took the catch via his hands, shoulder and, midriff before the ball finally came to nestle between his forearm and hip,” said Hope, who was less fortunate and dropped a catch that came his way.

Thors are away to Ivybridge this Saturday. Shobrooke entertain Stoke Gabriel in a real relegation 44-pointer.

STOKE Gabriel’s batting needs to buck up against Shobrooke Park this Saturday if they are going to collect a win needed in the firh against relegation.

Faced with Tavistock’s 288 for seven last time out - Dave Manning cracking his third ton of the season – Stoke slumped to five for five.

Seb Ansley (62) and Billy Alcock (51) got the score up to 84 and with Alex Bertram making 37 they scraped together 176 all out.

Earlier Jack Tolley (3-75), Nick Sandbrook (2-56) and Sam Hill (2-53) shared the wickets to fall.

Stoke are only twp points clear of the danger zone with three to play, against Shobrooke, leaders Lewdown and relegated South Devon.