Devon Cricket Board - C Division: Stoke close on Pens

C Division: Stoke close on Pens

C DIVISION

STOKE Gabriel go to out-of-sorts Ottery this Saturday boosted by a 19-run win over Ivybridge that puts them within five points of the promotion places.

Stoke made what appeared to be a modest 161 all out – which was a better score than it looked as they were 98 for seven at one stage, having collapsed from 40 for none to 54 for four then 67 for five, six and seven!

The rot stopped with 15 year-old Seb Ansley, whose 31 helped get something defendable on the board.

Kelvin Trent (4-22) was the Bridge’s leading wicket taker with the rest shared between Harry Soloman, Josh Zimmerman and Jeewan daSilva.

Ivbybridge failed to get out of second gear when they batted, slumping to 72 for seven against Jack Tolley (3-10), Andy Lockyer (2-26) and Angus Lee (2-30).

Sri Lankan daSilva, who came in unusually low at No.8, made 44 not out in a stand of 68 with Kevin Jacobs (24) but it wasn’t enough.

IT’S the big one for Ipplepen his Saturday when they host Bideford in the C Division match-of-the-day.

The Pens are top of the table after making it three wins on the reel when they overcame Ottery St Mary by five wickets.

Bidefod are right behind the Pens in second spot having thumped Clyst St George by nine wickets in this last outing.

Ipplepen are new to the C Division this season and, according to skipper Keith Wakeham, seem to be coping with the step-up.

“It’s been an all-round effort so far with everyone contributing,” said Wakeham.

“No bowler has taken more than three wickets, only one batsman has scored a 50 but everyone is doing something.

“We have never played Bideford before in a 1^st XI game, so don’t have much idea of their strengths and weaknesses.

“What we do know is they aren’t always that strong on the road and if we get a chance against them we have to make the best of it.”

The only 50 of the season so far was scored by Dave Harris in the win over Ottery.

Jon Sewell and Wakeham took three wickets each as the Otters were bowled out for 190.

Harris (59), Steve Bowden (40) and Sam Wakeham (37) then led Pens to a comfortable win.

CLYST St George entertain Chagford looking for a first win of the season after going four games without one at the foot of the table.

St George’s latest setback came against promotion hopefuls Bideford, who shot them out for 123 and went on to win by nine wickets.

Chris Ferro (45) and a hefty helping of extras (37) accounted for the bulk of Clyst’s runs/

Chris Luxton (3-29) and Fred King (2-21) took early wickets, then James Ford (4-3) spun through the tail as the last five wickets went for just 15 runs.

Ford – out for three with the score on 15 – was Bideford”s only casualty in a 32-over run chase. Matt Allin (66no) and Andy Webbe (51no) took care of the rest.

CLYST Hydon need a pick-me-up against Ashburton this Saturday after dropping to one from bottom in the C Division following an eight-wicket drubbing at Kingsbridge.

Andy Feather made a top score of 29 for Hydon, who also had runs from George Pawley (24) and Martin Dudley in their total of 161 all out.

Ben Glover took three for 27 for Kingsbridge and Bhanuka daSilva five for 55.

James Westlake then hit an unbeaten 79 and Richie Carr 43 not out to see Kings home inside 30 overs.

Skipper Ian Sutton said failure to set a decent target was his side’s downfall, although there were other factors as well.

“It was a good wicket and at 80 for two at drinks we were in a good position to get the 200 plus we needed,” said Sutton

“For 10 overs after drinks we let it slip, and lost quick wickets.

“As for the bowling, we didn't get much luck with a lot of playing and missing going on and a few shots just falling short of fielders.

“Another day we might have taken early wickets and it could have been a different game.”

CHAGFORD – away to Clyst St George this Saturday – moved up to third in the C Division standings by beating Ashburton by five wickets in the derby clash.

Ashes made a respectable 201 for eight in their 46 overs – Chris Pascoe top scoring on 38, aided and abetted by skipper Ashley Havey (28) and veteran Anthony Lacey (23). The wickets were shared around with Gary Sizmur taking a couple and two falling to run-outs.

Sizmur made 36 as the chase got going, backed up by 16-year-old Billy Searle.

At 152 for five Searle (63no) was joined by skipper Derek Lammonby (24no) and the pair knocked off the rest without mishap.

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