Devon Cricket Board - A Division - Exeter stretch lead

A Division - Exeter stretch lead

EXETER stretched their lead at the top of the A Division table to 34 points when they ran out comfortable nine-wicket winners at Abbotskerswell.
Abbots were all out for 117 with Mark Halse making 40 on his debut after transferring back from South Devon.
Six Abbots batters failed to make double-figure scores as Callum Still (3-37) and Adam Gribble (3-27) spun their way through the side.
Rob Holman (50no) and Adam Bosomworth (34no) guided Exeter home after Miles Lenygon fell cheaply to Dave Palmer.
Exeter will be disappointed not to take another step closer to the Premier Division this Saturday when they welcome Shobrooke Park to the County Ground.
“Abbots tried hard with a weakened team, but were too strong for the batting and bowling,” said Exeter skipper Jon Tipper.
“We did a good job on Exeter and are earning our lead at the top of the table.”
For Abbots, who missed Josh Dowling on his wedding day, it was hardly the result they wanted ahead of this Saturday’s meeting with arch rivals South Devon.
“We were a little unlucky not to get a few more points but Exeter were well drilled in all areas and showed why they are top of the table,” said Abbots skipper Richard Lake.
“Mark Halse batted really well for a hard-fought 40, but we weren't able to put any recognised partnerships together and 118 was never going to be enough on a drying wicket.
“Toby Codd, making his first team debut at 14, did a brilliant job with figures of 17 from five overs and showed what a prospect he will be for the future.”
South Devon were on the rack at Plymstock, but held on for a draw to avoid defeat for the first time this season.
Mitch Reynolds (50) and Dan Robotham (44no) bagged the bulk of the runs as Plymstock posted 194 for nine.
Along the way there were stands of 51 between Matt Smith and Reynolds and 50 between Robotham and skipper Dave Orchard.
Dave Knowles’ slippery seamers claimed three Plymstock wickets for 37 runs. Spinner Hammad ul-Hassan had three more for 45.
South Devon soon got behind the clock – Reynolds (2-7), Orchard and Lee Savage (2-34) tying them down.
And a draw looked on the cards once Henry Burningham (31) had gone.
South Devon drifted from 90 for six to 132 for six with time running out, then Orchard (4-24) got stuck in.
Wickets tumbled in a frantic few overs but time ran out with South Devon 138 for nine.
Paignton jumped two places to fourth when they dispatched Brixham by seven wickets at Queens Park.
Brixham skipper will be hoping his batters perform better against Braunton this Saturday after collapsing to 125 all out against Paignton.
Had it not been for Matt Stringfellow’s 55 to rescue them from 56 for six, it could have been even more embarrassing for Brixham.
Losing their last four wickets for 19 runs wasn’t great though!
There were three wickets each for George Yates and Brady Barends and two apiece for Chris Kelmore and Steve George.
Paignton lost Seb Benton and Connor Bryan for next to nothing, but an unbeaten 64 from Barends ended the game as a contest.
Paignton skipper Andy Kingdon insists his side wants promotion this season. He will find out how they measure up against second-placed Cornwood when they pay a visit this Saturday.

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