Devon Cricket Board - C DIvision 2nd XI - Ten man Kerswell scare leaders

C DIvision 2nd XI - Ten man Kerswell scare leaders

TEN-man Kingskerswell were just unable to create an upset at Cornwood, and ended up going down by two wickets.

Put in to bat first on a damp wicket Kerswell raced to 50 for nine in just eight overs with Kris Davis (22) and Mike Etherington (32) making good progress.

However once Cornwood made the break through Kerswell lost a steady stream of wickets to find themselves 91 for 8. Dave Petherbridge was the destroyer in chief, taking 5 for 35.

There then followed a stubborn last wicket partnership between Skipper Nigel Butt (29 no) and Adrian Bryant who hung around for 10 overs for his 0.

Butt was able to farm the bowling and with the occasional boundary Kerswell were able to post a total of 118 all out which at least gave their bowlers something to go at.

With both opening bowlers missing on holiday, and Chris Hurrell promoted to the 1st XI, young Dan Elliott was asked to open the bowling with spinner Davis at the other end.

Kerswell quickly had Cornwood in all sorts of trouble at 21 for four with Elliott (3-26), and Davis (2-37), making early inroads.

At 66 for six Cornwood were up against it, but Petherbridge came to their rescue striking a fine and confident 52.

When he was dismissed Cornwood were still 12 runs from victory and with only two wickets remaining anything was possible. Richard Hurrell continued Kerswell’s wicket-taking march with 2 for 10.

Cornwood’s nine and ten batters were able to secure the winning runs required to extend their lead at the top of the table.

After the game Kerswell Skipper Nigel Butt said: “We had a real availability crisis this week and we only had 10 thanks to our Umpire, Adrian Bryant, agreeing to play.

“The spirit and fight shown by every single person in the team was fantastic and to push the league leaders so close with 10 men and three of our main bowlers out was an amazing achievement, especially given that they had the best of the conditions.”

Martin Hopkins (5-7) and Andy Yates (4-24) skittled Clyst SG out for 57 to set Plymouth CS&R on course for an eight wicket win which puts them second in the table.

BARNSTAPLE’S game against Yelverton fell foul of the weather, as did Thorverton’s appointment with Shobrooke.

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