Devon Cricket Board - Premier Division Round-up

NORTH Devon captain Matt Dart said he had to take some of the responsibility for an unlikely defeat at Sidmouth.

Nick Gingell was the undisputed man of the match for Sidmouth as they defeated the defending champions by one wicket.

Gingell picked up the big wicket of North Devon opener Rob Gear for 58, then knocked over a couple of the lower order men to finish with three for 25 in the visitors’ 160 for nine.

When Sidmouth were 59 for seven in reply with Anthony Griffiths just out for 27 to Matt Westaway (3-45), North Devon seemed to have the upper hand.

Glenn Quirl had taken five for 23 – not figures you see too often in a losing cause – and it was down to Gingell and Matt Cooke to save the day.

Gingell made 58, Cooke chipped in with41 and a stand of 55 put the game back in the melting pot.

Westaway swung the game back North Devon’s way by removing Cooke and Murray in close succession.

That left Gingell and last man Miles Dalton to make 31 to win the game.

Zimbabwean Querl was out of the attack by then, but Westaway was fresh and had his tail up,

Run by run Gingell scored the runs while Dalton stonewalled at the other end. North Devon’s bowling lost some of its edge when it mattered with Gear and skipper Matt Dart taking a bit of tap.

The target came down to six to win, which Gingell got in one blow off Westaway.

Dart said there were good things and bad to come out of the defeat.

Our batting showed signs of good form from Dan Bowser and Rob Gear, while

Glenn Querl and Matt Westaway were superb as normal,” said Dart.

“Myself and Rob Gear let us down with the ball though, which won’t happen again.

“Gingell’s knock was one of the best I have seen in the Premier Division and how he is batting at eight I do not know,” said North Devon captain Matt Dart.

BOVEY Tracey play Plymouth this Saturday on a high after routing Sandford by 62 runs.

After two years away from the top flight, Sandford couldn’t have picked out a much tougher start than a team widely tipped to win the Premier Division this term.

A decent bowling effort, led by Simon Ashplant and Jamie Palmer with three wickets each, helped keep Bovey down to 186 for nine in 50 cold overs at the Recreation Ground.

Former Devon player Richard Foan, back home from his job in Australia for a month on holiday, took one for 32 from 10 overs of tidy spin bowling.

Home captain opener Peter Bradley made 64 and there were chip-ins from Matt Laidman (18), Andy Fairbairn (25) and Joe Barrs (20no).

Sandford got the worst possible start when opener and captain Matt Theedom hit Neil Hancock to Ryan Bougourd at mid-on in the first over.

A patient stand of 40 between Neil Bettis (22) and Russ Discombe (28) appeared to get Sandford back on course.

When Discombe went, caught in the gully by Fairbairn of Bougourd (2-24), Sandford started to slide.

From 57 for two Sandford nosedived to 81 for seven with Charlie Hill (3-5) getting among the wickets in his first game since switching from Plymouth.

Chris Blake (12), Palmer (16no) and Ashplant (12) hung around at the end until Barrs and Hancock came back to blast them out.

Skipper Bradley said early signs from the were encouraging, however there is a snag looming.

“It looks like we have five bowlers – plus Dilon Mullins as a sixth if needed – so that side of the team is shaping up nicely,” said Bradley.

“Charlie Hill’s in-swingers are a useful addition to our attack, although the conditions won’t always suit him quite so well.

“Although we made enough runs in difficult conditions, a couple of wickets fell to poor shot selection more than good bowling.

“For the game against Plymouth three first teamers from last year – Chris Clayton, Matt Kidd and Sam Wyatt-Haines – are all available so selection is going to throw up a few dilemmas.”

Bovey are supposed to be travelling to Plymouth, however the fixture may be reversed due to work on the city side’s ground.

BRADNINCH look in pretty good nick for the derby clash with Heathcoat this Saturday after turning the tables on Exmouth by three wickets.

Exmouth, were always looking down the barrel after being dismissed for 129 by Matt Golding (3-27) and Gary Chappell (3-18).

Bradninch looked in control at 56 for two, were less comfortable at 78 for seven, but with Ross Acton batting through for an unbeaten 60 got there with 17 overs to go.

Opposite number Chappell was more forthcoming with his post-match analysis.

“Par on that pitch was 160, so I was pleased to get Exmouth out for 130,” said Chappell.

“The conditions were perfect for Paul Nott and Dan Milligan to bowl their medium pacers on, then I bowled my darts and Goldy made Exmouth’s batsman look stupid at times he was turning it so much.

“We were crusing at 56 for two, then Golding was run-out and a few silly shots later we were 78 for seven

“Exmouth didn’t have a fifth bowler and as they were bowling two wides an over on average we didn’t have to take too many risks.

“It is Heathcoat next for us and that’s another game we will be looking to win.”

Exmouth entertain Torquay this Saturday with skipper Richard Baggs looking for improvements all round

“We didn’t bat our overs, bowled 32 wides and dropped two catches – that’s no way to win low-scoring games,” said Exmouth skipper Richard Baggs.

“Andy Buzza (28) batted well, Trevor Anning and Jamie Tapper (2-16) bowled well, but that was about it.

“We need to forget about it and concentrate on winning against Torquay.”

BUDLEIGH Salterton’s game against Heathcoat was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Budleigh are due to visit North Devon this Saturday.