Devon Cricket Board - Premier reports: Exmouth poised for title

EXMOUTH put one hand on the Premier Division trophy when they beat North Devon by 86 runs on the Maer.

Seven points this Saturday afternoon at Cornwood will give Exmouth their first Premier title since 1999 – and it’s hard t see them missing out.

Second-placed Sidmouth have to beat Budleigh and take all 22 points – AND hope Exmouth get six or fewer at Oak Park.

Chris Metters (54) and Andy Buzza (51) both made half centuries as Exmouth recovered from a hesitant start – they were 36 for thee – to make 220 for eight.

Sandy Allen, skipper Richard Baggs and David Lye all went cheaply before Seb Benton (32) and Metters got a grip.,

Buzza and latterly Mark Orchard (20no) kept the scoreboard ticking over in the last 10 overs.

North Devon never really got out of the blocks – Trevor Anning (3-29) made sure of that – and one Craig Overton was fourth out at 66 there was only one likely outcome.

There were two wickets each for Toby Ingham (2-16) and Lawrence Greenway (2-27) as North Devon subsided to 134 all out.

North Devon’s last five wickets went down for 20 runs combined, not something that has happened too often to the Instow side this season.

Sidmouth did all they could to stay in touch with the leaders as they beat Bovey Tracey by 67 runs.

Anthony Griffiths top scored with 89 not out off 113 balls as Sidmouth reached 239 for four in 45 overs then declared.

Bovey were all out for 172 with five overs to go – Sidmouth paceman Josh Bess taking three for 43 to speed them on their way.

Defeat drops Bovey from second to third where they trail Sidmouth by 11 points and Exmouth by 27 with 22 left on the table.

BUDLEIGH have nothing to play for other than local pride in the derby clash at Sidmouth this Saturday now they are certain to be relegated.

The Otters were living on borrowed time before last Saturday’s four run defeat by Exeter as they couldn’t get out of the bottom two without helpful results elsewhere.

Bradninch and Cornwood both lost, which would have been helpful had Budleigh kept their side of the bargain by winning,

But despite an unbeaten 114 from James Burke, 61 by Bob Dawson and 50 from Jack Dart, Budleigh finished five runs short.

Budleigh could conceivably get off the bottom by beating Sidmouth, but are 32 points adrift of safety with only 22 to play for.

So the 2006 Premier champions return to the A Division since 2003, when they were promoted out of it as runners-up behind Exmouth.

Exeter, currently fifth, could finish fourth if they beat visiting Plymouth, of sixth if their metropolitan cousins win to go past them.

Having been promoted last season as A Division champions without losing a game, Exeter were keen to consolidate in their first season back.

Despite getting through three captains during the season – Jon Tipper, followed by Tom Viljoen, followed by Rob Holman – it will be mission accomplished for Exeter.

The icing on the cake for Exeter is their 2^nd XI will be Premier Two champs if they beat Plymouth – and the 3^rd XI are guaranteed promotion from the C Division.

If Exeter beat Ivybridge and leaders Thorverton lose to Yelverton, a second title could be on the way to the County Ground.

Where Exeter 3^rd XI will play next season is a moot point though as their ground at Bicton College will be out of bounds in 2014 due to redevelopment.

Back at Ottermouth last Saturday afternoon, Tom Richardson marked his elevation from the 2^nd XI with 82 off 114 balls in Exeter’s total of 266 for nine.

Knock of the innings was supplied by Will Steward, who went in at 58 for four and made 108 before he was last man out. Opener Andy Curtis (29) was the only other batter to reach double figures.
TORQUAY beat Bradninch by three runs in a nail-biting game at the Recreation Ground to banish their relegation worries once and for all.
Matt Thompson’s impressive run of form continued with a top score of 70 as Torquay reached 217 for seven in 50 overs.

Along the way there were stands of 75 for Thompson with Matt Hunt (27) and 49 with brother Joe (30).

Ross Acton (3-15) was the most effective of the Bradninch bowlers while Will Squire (4-57) topped the wicket-taking stakes.

Bradninch, desperate for a win to get out of the bottom two before it is too late, had to go for the runs come what may.

After Jackson Thompson made a brisk 27 off 21 balls, Greg Maher (53) and skipper Tim Piper (69) made a 96-run dent in the deficit.

Keeping up with the asking rate was a problem at times for Bradninch, who needed 83 off the last 15 overs before Piper and Ross Acton (33) stepped on the gas.

Despite miserly spells from Des Kruger (2-37) and Dan Wightman (1-29), Bradninch got down to the last over needing seven to win with five wickets in hand.

Piper flung the bat a the first ball from Kruger and was caught out in the country.

Mark Vercoe-Curtis and Squire managed three between them off the next four balls, leaving four to win off the last.

Squire gave it the big wind-up, but Matt Thompson had the bails off before he could get back into his ground and Torquay won by a whisker.

Torquay are definitely safe as they are 30 points clear of Bradninch in the second drop spot with only 22 to play for.

Vice-captain Thompson said it was a relief to be safe with a game to go, adding the challenge now is to avoid next season becoming a third successive scrap to stay up.

“It was Great to get over the line and confirm our Premier status,” said Thompson.

“We didnt make it easy for ourselves defending 217, but credit to Bradninch and Tim Piper as they had us worried for a long time.

“It certainly was scrappy but at this stage of the season we aren't about to start complaining how the results come in!

“We've played some good cricket at times this year, some pretty average cricket too so the challenge next year, with a bit more depth is to be a little more consistent and push the likes of Exeter and Plymouth for a Europa League spot, so to speak!

Bradninch have to get a win against Bovey Tracey this Saturday and hope Cornwood are hammered by champs elect Exmouth to have any chance of bridging the 17-point gap between them and safety.

BOVEY Tracey’s title aspirations ended when they were 67-run losers at Sidmouth.

Anthony Griffiths top scored with 89 not out off 113 balls as Sidmouth reached 239 for four in 45 overs then declared.

Bovey were all out for 172 with five overs to go – Sidmouth paceman Josh Bess taking three for 43 to speed them on their way.

Defeat drops Bovey from second to third where they trail Sidmouth by 11 points and Exmouth by 27 with 22 left on the table.

Sidmouth need to win big against doomed Budleigh Salterton, who can’t stay up after losing to Exeter, and hope Exmouth misfire against Cornwood if they are going to regain the title they won last year.

Bovey seamer Neil Hancock struck in the first over to remove Matt Cooke as Sidmouth suffered an early setaback, but from then on bat dominated ball.

Griffiths and Liam Lewis (47) totted up 80 for the second wicket then Josh Bess (24) and Griffiths added 42 in a hurry for the third.

Pete Randerson came and went for ten as Sidmouth briefly slowed at 134 for four.

Luke Bess upped the tempo with a rapid 47 not out as he and Grffiths added 105 in 12 overs before skipper Will Murray called them in.

The game was won and lost during a 15-ball spell when Bovey lost for wickets without scoring a run.

Bovey’s 74 for one became 75 for five as Peter Bradley (31), Matt Golding first ball, Hancock without facing a ball and Damian Bourke (18) all went.

Bess took three of the wickets and ran out non-striker Hancock for the fourth.

Ben Ayres (21) and Andy Fairbairn (24) attempted to rebuild and put on 53 before Will Gater (2-19) poled Ayres.

It was downhill all the way to 172 all out after that with Cooke (2-14) and Scott Barlow (2-13) doing the mopping up.

JAMES Toms hit 60 and Marnus Labuschagne 45 as Plymouth won the derby clash with Cornwood by six wickets.

Cornwood’s all-out total of 150 at Oak Park always looked a bit on the low side, and so it turned out.

Plymouth knocked off the runs with more than 16 overs to spare, fuelling hopes they may just finish in the top five this season.

Plymouth are currently sixth, but will snatch fifth off Exeter if they beat the County Ground outfit at Mount Wise this Saturday.

Cornwood’s disappointment at losing was tempered by a favourable result at Torquay, where Bradninch lost by three runs in the last over.

With one round of fixtures to go Cornwood are 15 points clear of the second relegation spot currently occupied by Bradninch.

Cornwood play champs in waiting Exmouth in their final game of the season this Saturday needing eight points to be absolutely sure of staying up.

Bradninch must win at Bovey Tracey, otherwise it is all over for them.

Mike Hawkes, Cornwood’s chairman of selectors, said nothing is guaranteed yet though.

“Last Saturday’s results have not really settled any of the relegation places,” said Hawkes.

“The fixtures have certainly meant all issues will be settled on the final Saturday – what a great way to end the season.

“Cornwood will be concentrating on putting in a good performance against the potential league champions.

“Every run and wicket will be vital to us.”

Cornwood struggled from the start against Plymouth, losing opener Chris Parker lbw to Dave Burke’s first ball of the game.

Robin Dart went cheaply – Jon Kerridge ran him out – then Asif Raza annd Matt Skeemer followed.

And when Ryan Rickard was spun out for 20 by Labuschagne, Cornwood were 50 fr fve in the 23rd over.

Not for the first time this season the rot was stopped by skipper Jason Hall, who made 45 of the next 63 on the board.

Chip-ins from Matt Burterworth (11) and Elliot Staddon (17) got Cornwood to a second batting bonus point before Sam Stein (2-13) knocked over last man Adam Goodliffe with one ball left in the innings.

“Sam Stein and John Kerridge were outstanding. John seems to have benefited for being with the Devon U16s. He bowled with great skill and control and has a great future ahead of him,” said Plymouth skipper Matt Hooper.

“Sam was equally good. He bowled six maidens in a row which was a bit boring for the spectators but got a few people wickets from the other end.”

Harry Stephenson fell lbw to Asif in the fifth over of Plymouth’s reply, but a stand of 105 between Toms and Labuschagne pointed the city side in the right direction.

Hall got Labuschagne out, Raza removed Jake Luffman and Staddon accounted for Toms, but by then the target was four to win and it was game over.

James Toms and Marnus Labuschagne batted brilliantly,” said Plymouth captain Hooper.

“They were the difference, they kept out the good balls and were clinical on the bad ones. Two very classy batters.”

Although Plymouth are safe, skipper Hooper said there are targets to achieve in the last game against Exeter.

“We would like to finish above Exeter so beating them would be good,” said Hooper.

“They gave us a going over at our place which wrecked our season so we owe them one.

“I know a few of the guys have personal landmarks they want to reach. Jake Luffman wants a few for 500 runs and Marnus is close to 700 so they will be pushing for them, there aren't many better places to do it than Exeter!

“A top half and above finish has always been the aim so we will go all out to end on a high.”