Devon Cricket Board - C Division - Pens take over at the top

C DIVISION

STOKE Gabriel are off the top of the C Division after losing by three runs in a low scoring affair at Ivybridge.

It seemed Stoke had done the hard bit after dismissing Ivybridge for 114 – Andy Lockyer taking four for 27 and Adam Castle three for 21 as they collapsed from 81 for three.

Four wickets fell getting from 81 to 89.

Take out Mike Hibberd’s 41 not out and Andy Johnson’s 28 and there was not a lot from the rest for the Bridge.

Stoke started badly – they were seven for three then 34 for four and five – and never really recovered. Jadk Tolley made 17 and Sean Dwyer 22 in a total of 111 all out.

Paul Veale had three for 18 with the rest of the wickets shared around.

Stoke need to bounce back against Ottery this Saturday.

The new leaders are Ipplepen, who knocked off 227 to win against Ottery with five wickets to spare.

George Biggs (74) and Alex Clements (71no) were the main contributors when Ottery batted. Jack Pritchard had 27.

Pens had Moriz Hartmann 93) and Joe Abbott (50no) to thank for getting them in sight of victory.

When Hartman was out at 159, Sam Wakeham (32no) joined Abbot to knock off the rest with six overs to go. Mark Woodman took three for 40 and Will Harrison two for 66.

Ottery captain Jody Clements said there were positives to take away from the game.

It was an Improved performance compared to the week before against Ivybridge,” said Clements.

“Our battin was better and Biggs had good runs again.

“Alex (Clements) took an opportunity higher up order to show his ability.

“Maybe we were a few runs light, but we bowled too many four balls, although Woodman bowled well and deserved more than three wickets.

“Clyst St George winning alters things a little. We Need to start picking up a few more points to ensure we stay up.”

Pens lead Ivybridge by three points with Chagford a further two points behind after their four wicket win at Ashburton.

Premier veterans Del Lammonby and Colin Mortimore showed you never lose it by steering Chagford to a four-wicket win at Ashburton.

Ashes were bowled out for 180 by Lammonby (3-28) and Billy Searle (4-57) – Tom Dumrnan making a top score of 67.

Chagford were in all sorts of trouble against Gordon Colwill (4-55) and at 13 for four Ashes were the likely winners..

Lammonby (ex-Exeter) and Morrtimore (ex-Bovey Tracey) were pitched together at 82 for six and put on 99 unbroken to win the game.

Lammonby finished on 53 not out and Mortimore was unbeaten on 46. Forty-eight extras – 43 of them wides – helped.

Ashburton are now one off the bottom of the table. Only Clyst Hydon are below them so this Saturday’s meeting between the two sides will be no place for the feint hearted.

Clyst St George are out of the bottom two thanks to convincing six-wicket win at Bideford.

Will Barratt (34) and Josh King (35) helped Bideford reach a promising 133 for five with 14 overs to go, so an all out total of 165 was a disappointment.

The men who did the damage were Mike Johnson (3-63) and Julian Welland.

St George were always in the driving seat after cruising to 82 for one thanks to Chris Ferro (20) and Sam Cooper (46).

Their was a brief hiatus as four wickets went for two runs added, two falling to Alex Crisp, but skipper Steve Bourke (45no) and Chris Cook (26no) put on 82 unbroken to win the match.

Bourke said an improved fielding performance helped and the 82-run start proved a useful cushion after the mini-collapse.

“It has taken a while but things are improving and everyone is doing their job to keep us moving ahead,” said Bourke.

CLYST Hydon are in do-or-die territory in the C Division after they drew against Kingsbridge.

A firth-wicket stand of 118 between James Fletcher (126no) and Chris Bowles (64) helped Kings reach 258 for nine.

Kev Sercombe (4-55) led Clyst Hydon’s bowling effort.

Clyst slowed up on the chase at 105 for five when Graham Trude got out for 36.

Peter Milner batted through for 38 and Rick Martin made 34 as Hydon scraped together 178 for eight in reply – just enough for draw points.

Bhanu deSilva (4-37) was the leading Kingsbridge bowler.

Clyst Hydon remain bottom and 18 points adrift of safety, but can still save themselves according to skipper Ian Sutton.

“It was a solid 10 points, especially after losing quite an important toss,” said Sutton.

“The next two weeks see us play Ashburton and Clyst St George – the two teams directly above us.

“Those games will be crucial to our hopes of staying up.

“Hopefully we can take a bit of momentum from these last two games and put in some strong performances.”

Kingsbridge captain Fletcher said he was happy with the outcome as his side dominated for much of the game.

“We did excellently to recover from 53 for four to post a total of 258 for eight,” said Fletcher.

“It's the fourth time we've posted above 230 in our last four matches and we're looking a decent batting unit.

“We bowled well and when they were 23 for three we were in with a chance of a win.

“The pitch flattened out and there wasn't much assistance for our bowlers, but it was a decent result for us.”