- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
SPINNER Chris Bradley staked his claim as a captain of the future in the win over Shropshire which revived Devon’s Minor Counties Championship hopes in a big way.
When regular skipper Neil Hancock was forced to drop out due to a broken nose, the Devon management turned to Bradley to get them through a must-win match.
Bradley didn’t just deliver the victory which lifted Devon within six points of table-topping Berkshire, he also turned in the second-best bowling figures by any Devon bowler for 31 years.
The Bovey Tracey off-spinner took five for 89 in the first innings and seven for 42 in the second for figures of 12 for 131 in the match. He was awarded his county cap immediately after the match. The last 12-wicket haul - and one which will take some beating - was Ian Bishop's 12 for 64 (6-20 & 6-44) against Cornwall at Exmouth in 2001.
Andy Procter took 12 for 143 against Herefordshire in 2006 and Paddy Considine had 12 for 141 against Shropshire way back in 1983.
The benchmark performance Bradley couldn’t improve on was the 14 for 89 – 7 for 39 and 7 for 50 – taken by Tony Allin against Berkshire at Sidmouth in 1980.
Hancock remains Devon captain for the foreseeable future, but Bradley has been marked down as a likely successor when the time comes.
“Since Chris came into the side at the start of last season he has taken every chance that he has been offered,” said Devon’s director of cricket Roger Newman.
“Not only did Chris take the best bowling figures for 30 years, more importantly we won the match under him.
“Chris is a natural leader both on and off the field. He really led by his own performance against Shropshire, which was a game we had to win.
“He doesn’t need to have the title of captain to carry on doing what he is doing for Devon – and I hope he carries on doing it for a long time to come.”
Bradley had the stand-out game against Shropshire, but Newman said it would be wrong not to recognise some other key performances.
“James Burke made 64 and 78 – two very solid innings – and they were crucial to Devon winning the match,” said Newman.
“I know James will be disappointed at missing out on his first ton for Devon as he has been close several times this season.
“What James is doing is score runs consistently, To be a successful side you need consistent performers and he is proving to be one – and sooner or later he will get that hundred.”
Devon have been chasing Berkshire at the top of the table since the first round of fixtures and were 20 points behind before beating Shropshire.
The gap is now down to eight points and the stage set for a winner-takes-all showdown with Berkshire in the last round of fixtures.
Oxfordshire did Devon a massive favour by getting the best of a draw off Berkshire at Banbury, which threw the title race wide open.
“We couldn’t have asked for any more than to go into the last game with a realistic chance of winning our division,” said Newman.
“A draw isn’t much good to either side so both of us will be playing to win, which should ensure a cracking game of cricket.”