Devon Cricket Board - B Division review: Stoke need more runs

STOKE Gabriel are still looking for that first league win of the season following promotion to the B Division after going down by five wickets to Alphington.

Stoke were all out for 110 in the 42nd over – a disappointing total after reaching 59 for two.

Once Jack Tolley (22) and skipper Josh Dowling (19) were accounted for, Stoke slumped to 81 for six as Paul James (2-7), Stuart Shaw (3-15) and Lee Rowe (2-17) went through them.

Dinesh Raheja, Alphington’s new overseas player, bowled a 10-ball over but more than proved his worth later with the bat with an match-winning 36 not out.

Stoke bowled well in the conditions –Dave Bolland and Dowlng went for seven and 19 runs respectively from nine over-spells – and run scoring was difficult.

Rowe and Tom Bath with a dozen each helped Raheja get Alphas over the finishing line.

It’s Barnstaple away this Saturday for a game Stoke need to win before they get stuck at the wrong end of the table.

“I lost the toss on a wet one and our batters simply didn't apply themselves,” said Dowling.

“We battled hard with the ball which was a big positive, but Alphington passed us with three overs to go as we simply did not have enough runs on the board.

“Hopefully the bus trip down to Barnstaple and back will kick start our season.”

Opposite number Stuart Shaw was much more upbeat, which was hardly surprising.

“It was a good toss to win,” said Shaw. “As Suspected the wicket played very slow. Batting conditions were difficult, but that said all of my bowlers bowled extremely well

“Paul James bowled nine over for seven runs and three of them were wides!

“Chasing down we had to be very patient to wait for the bad ball.

“One big plus from last week was our fielding improved massively and we didn't drop a catch.”

SOUTH Devon need to get a grip in the field to end their run of defeats before it becomes a crisis.

The Newton Abbot men had periods against Barnstaple & Pilton where they were in the driving seat, but were unable to hold on,.

And, chasing 169 to win - Ali Wright (41) and Richard Beamont (38) - B&P made it with three wickets to spare despite being 24 for four at one stage.

“We batted relatively okay on what was a pretty tough batting wicket with a slow outfield due to overnight rain,” said South Devon captain Jonty Parsons.

“We lost wickets at regular intervals so partnerships weren't created and had to rely on Richard to make our total competitive.

“In terms of our fielding and bowling Richard (4-27) was outstanding again with the ball but we gave them too many extras and fielding was poor at times, which essentially gave them 40 free runs.

“It looked promising when we had them 100 for six, but because they were over the required run rate through the entirety of their innings they ended up seeing themselves over relatively comfortably.”

Jack Popham had a good game for B&P taking three for44 and following up with 36 on the chase.

James Thomas (25) and Lee Cole (22) were the supporting acts.

SHOBROOKE Park skipper Justin Dollow is looking for a big improvement from the bowlers when the team travels to Ivybridge this Saturday.

Despite being held to 110 for eight against Chudleigh last time out, Shobrooke got into a winning position against the Kate Brook team.

What Shobrooke lacked was the firepower to kill Chudleigh of and they ended up losing by three wickets.

Said Dollow: “We seem to be underperforming at the moment, possibly it is a hangover from being relegated last season.

“It was a bad toss to lose, but even so we didn’t bat well.

“What was disappointing was to have Chudleigh two for none then three for 10 – that was a strong position to be in.

“We should have bowled them out, but they stuck it out.

“What we really need is a couple of wins, then our confidence should start rising.”

Ed Foreman’s unbeaten 63 was the difference between the two sides.

THORVERTON hope to have a new player signed-on in time for Saturday’s trip to Chudleigh.

New skipper James Hope isn’t saying who the new man is until the paperwork is completed, but dropped a few hints anyway.

“He is an opening played for two or three Premier clubs in the past and also represented Devon,” said Hope.

“I don’t want to say who in case someone else comes in for him. But it is a big-name player and will show we mean business this season.”

Thorverton need a bit of a lift after suffering a last-over defeat against visiting Lewdown.

Andrew Codling hit a top score of 65 on his elevation to the 1^st XI and there were chip-ins from Dave Baldock (26), Will Denford (27) and Graham White (20) in a total of 219 for eight.

Mario Marais collected three for 18 and ex-Chagford favourite Gary Sizmur two for 33.

An umbeaten 106 from Matt Witcher, aided by 66 from Dave Ball, got Lewdown over the line.

Denford and Jake Crouch had three wickets each for Thors.

JAKE Zimmerman and Jeewan de Silva set Ivybridge on course for a two-wicket win over Tavistock in a low-scoring affair.

After de Silva (2-27) softened them up, Zimmerman took four for five to skittle Tavvy for 102. OLnly Aron Churchill (21) stayed around long.

The Bridgers didn’t have it all their own way on the chase as they went into an alarming slide from 61 for two to 72 for six under pressure from James McGahey (4-16) and Josh Stephens (2-15).

Kelvin Trent batted through to make 24 not out and get Ivybridge past the post in the 25^th over.