Devon Cricket Board - Only way is up for Axminster

Only way is up for Axminster

AXMINSTER sit in the bottom two of the fledgling B Division table after a 53-run defeat in a low scoring affair at Cloakham Lawns against an Abbotskerswell side that has made a flying start to the new season.
Abbots limped to 116 all out and were glad of a last wicket stand of 42 between Matt Beasant (20no) and Hugo Whitlock (19) for getting that far.

Other than Tom Andrew making 21, it was dire stuff from the senior players as Matt Pyle (3-23), Dave Field (3-21) and Nick Taylor (2-28) dominated with the ball.

Axminster were coshed by the same trio of Whitlock (5-4), Andrews (2-20) and Beasant (2-8) as they slumped to 53 all out.

Axminster skipper Paul Miller said: “It was simply one of those days when half our game was exceptional and the other half abysmal!”
He continued: “We bowled and fielded superbly and it was no more than we deserved to bowl them out for 116. I was surprised when they won the toss and opted to bat on a damp Cloakham Lawns wicket.
"However, as good as we were with the ball, once we batted we were simply not at the races. It was a case of four or five rank bad shots, three or four exceptional deliveries and a couple of ‘difficult-to-understand- umpiring decisions’ that sunk us.
"That said, they (Abbotskerswell) did bowl well and, defending such a low score, did their work very efficiently.
"There’s not much more to be said on the performance other than we’ll endeavour to put it right next time out!”
On Saturday Axminster make the long trip to Braunton.
Miller says: “Once again we must battle the bank holiday traffic with a visit to North Devon.
"We look like being without Daniel Murnane and Gary Larcombe so we’ll need to call up a couple of the second eleven. However, as they say, when one door closes another opens, so hopefully people will step up.”

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773