Devon Cricket Board - C Division - points dispute over relegation battle

PLYMOUTH Civil Service are appealing against the points calculation in their game against Clyst St George, which could make the difference between going down or staying up for both clubs.

Although the Devon League format is 45-overs-per-side in the C Division, the side batting first can declare early if they wish. In a 45-over game the cut-off point is 40 overs.

A side declaring and going on to win the match can claim an additional two points as a bonus.

Clyst skipper John Meredith gambled on the declaration tactic against Civil, which his side had to win to stay up. If they did, Civil went down.

Civil thought they could stay up on bonus points alone even if they lost, but hadn’t factored in the effects of a declaration.

“The extra two points changed the calculation so that bonus points were not enough for Civil to stay up if they lost,” said Clyst skipper Meredith.

Clyst declared on 214 for four – Chris Cook top scoring on 67 not out – then dismissed Civil for 200 in reply to win by 200 runs.

There was jubilation in the Clyst game immediately after the match as they had moved out of the bottom two by the two points gained for declaring early.

Within 24 hours Civil had registered their protest.

“We strongly believe Clyst St George will be relegated instead of ourselves,” said Civil administrator Andy Hawker.

“The reason being was their declaration to gain an extra two points came too late in their innings.

“It was quizzed at the time by Civil players but the umpires didn't seem to know the rule clearly enough.

“With these extra two points being taken away it leaves both teams on the same points total and Civil surviving having won one more game. “

Ordinarily, the issue would be dealt with by the divisional results secretary, in this instance Nigel Piddock.

However, as Piddock is associated with Civil he may wish to pass the matter on to a league colleague to avoid being dragged in.

CHAGFORD went down by 32 runs to champions Bideford in their final game of the season.

Matt Allin top scored with 87 as Bideford totted up 255 for seven. Skipper James Ford went through 700 runs for the season with 28.

Chagford were 223 for nine when their overs ran out – Divan Marais making their top score of 71.

Teenage batter Charlie Fitzrory made a maiden league half-century and is clearly one to watch for the future.

There were two wickets each for Dan Barrett, Fred King and Ford.

While Bideford look forward to promotion, Chagford remain stuck in the C Division for another season.

They finished fourth from bottom 16 points clear of the drop zone and won’t want reminding they only won twice in nine games after the halfway point.

IPPLEPEN finished best of the rest in the C Division after beating Kingsbridge by 122 runs in the ‘play-off’ for third place.

Only two teams defeated champions Bideford in the season just ended – Pens by 39 runs and Kingsbridge by six wickets – but both faded a little in the second half of the season.

A stand of 146 for the third wicket between Tom Dyer (72) and Dave Harris (59) pointed Pens towards a tally of 330 for eight.

Jack Lewis made 42 and Sam Wakeham had a brisk 34 in the second half.

Kingsbridge appeared to have a depleted attack judging by some of the bowling on show, although James Rosewarne (5-55) did enjoy some success.

Will Matthewman top scored for Kingsbridge with 74 and there was a splendid 66 not out from veteran Neil Peach in a total of 208.

Paul Thomas was the pick of the bowlers with four for 25 and there were two each for Steve Bowden and Joe Abbott.

DARTINGTON & Totnes showed what they can really do at their best with a hefty 63-run win over promoted Axminster.

The signs didn’t look great for D&T after they had been held to 141 for nine – Jono Colgate making 32 to add to a brace of 20s by Dave Carter and Ryan Stevenson.

Rob Prior had three for 25 for Axminster.

Axminster chose to leave some of their frontline batters at home to strengthen the 2^nd XI, who were playing for promotion against arch-rivals Uplyme.

The 2^nd XI won but the 1^st XI were rolled over for 78 with Sam Farrow (22no) just pipping Tristan Wakeley for top scorer/

Stevenson steamed in to take five for 16 and Cater took three for seven tidying up.

Halfway through the season D&T were three off the bottom of the table with only three wins in the board.

Darts have won six out of nine in the second half of the season – one of which was a rain-off – a record only equalled by champions Bideford and not bettered by anyone.

The regular availability of Stevenson in the second half of the season clearly helped D&T.

Skipper Harold Stevenson – father of Ryan – will hope his son spends less time playing golf on summer Saturdays in the first half of the 2014 campaign.

OTTERY St Mary’s season ended on a low note when they went down by 105 runs to relegated Yelverton.

The counter attractions of hockey and soccer didn’t help skipper Jody Clements when he sat down to pick a team with nothing riding on it for either side.

Yelverton made 252 for nine, led there by veteran batter Steve Luffman with 80. Matt Tamsett made 42 and Richard Goldsby-West 32.

James Faulkner claimed three for 55 and there were two wickets for Dave Richardson.

Ottery were 147 in reply – Matt Reed (28no) and Sam Tennant making the only scores of note.

“We were not at the races,” was all Clements would say afterwards.

Ottery finished sixth out of ten in the division and had they won more than three times before the turn could well have mounted a proper promotion challenge.