Devon Cricket Board - C Division: Pens hit top thanks to Ranjit

C DIVISION

ASHBURTON go into their meeting with Chagford flying high following a remarkable 167-run win over early pacesetters Bideford.

The North Devon side got off to a cracking start by winning their first two matches and were expected to be Ashes’ toughest test yet.

It didn’t work out that way though as Bideford were knocked off the top by Ashburton, who have eased into second place themselves.

Chris Pascoe featured in stands of 85 with Ashley Harvey (27) and 50 with Tom Durman (22) as Ashes got to 220 for seven. Thirty-six extras helped.

There were two wickets each for spinners Chris Luxton and James Ford.

Bideford’s batters ran into Ashes’ Tom Durman at his finest. Durman took seven for 18 and there were three wickets for Kris Connabeer as the visitors were dismissed for 54.

Bideford had been 11 for four and after a partial recovery was snuffed out they lost three wickets on 36 then collapsed in a heap.

STOKE Gabriel were one wicket away from winning a one-sided affair at Clyst St George

Stoke raced along to 279 for five in their 46 overs, led off by first-wicket pair Dave Bolland (84) and skipper Andy Lockyer (45) with a stand of 90.

Anthony Scott made 24 and Jack Tolley belted six sixes on his way to 70 off 50 balls.

Chris Cook led the Clyst reply with55 and there were chip ins from Paul Laverick (20) and Nathan Wells (23).

Clyst;s last pair of Nick Dubuisson and Mike Johnson patted back the last couple of overs to earn a draw at 183 for nine.

Stoke’s 15-point haul puts them halfway up the table ahead of Satuday’s home game against Ivybridge.

It has been a difficult few weeks for Stoke, who have had team raising problems due to player departures during the close season.

Lockyer said he could see some light at the end of the tunnel now.

“We have had our problems, but if anything adversity had made the team stronger,” said Lockyer.

“The young players have having to grow up fast. Jack Tolley is only 17, but his 70 off 50 balls was the sort of innings you don’t normally see from players of his age.”

CLYST Hydon could do with a pick-me-up at Kingsbridge this Saturday after slipping to a 71-run defeat against visiting Chagford.

Clyst had hoped to be among the promotion chasers this season, but are three places and three points off the bottom.

Skipper Ian Sutton, just back in action after eye surgery, said there are areas which need work for results to improve.

“I thought 170 was about par in the conditions, but at the end we let Chagford get away from us and were chasing 20-30 too many,” said Sutton.

“We need to bowl a better line and length and sharpen up in the field.

“Chagford bowled well at us, and a few decisions we could have done with getting here and there did not go our way. But that’s cricket.”

Billy Searle top scored with 59 and Dave Chadwick had 36 in Chagford’s total of 199 for seven. Clinton Lewis (4-38) led the bowling effort for Hydon, well supported by Chris Jelly (3-35).

Searle (3-24) and Derek Lammonby (3-26) then put the skids under Hydon, who were packed off for 128. There were more extras – 39 – than any individual scored off the bat.

Chagford, who are fourth in then table, are at home to Ashburton this Saturday in the nearest thing they have to a derby match this season.

OTTERY St Mary will need an improvement on all fronts when they play leaders Ipplepen this Saturday after slumping to a 59-run defeat at Ivybridge.

Chasing 154 to win Ottery slumped to eight for three in reply and folded for 94.

Defeat drops Ottery down to fourth from bottom, not where skipper Jody Clements wants to be in the club’s first season of C Division cricket.

Ivybridge were 71 for none thanks to Kelvin Trent (39) and Kevin Jacobs (36) but slowed as James Faulkner ripped through the middle order to take six for 33.

Will Harrison (3-40) did the damage at the other end.

Dan Flower and Jack Pritchard (25) repaired some of the damage done by the Ivybridge bowlers, before it all started to unravel again.

Trent (3-19) took three in a row and there were to wickets each for Jeewan daSilva, Paul Veale and Pete Abraham as Ottery’s wheels fell off.

IPPLEPEN will be aiming for a third straight win when they go to Ottery St Mary.

The newly-promoted Pens took over at the top of the table last time out when they overcame Kingsbridge by four wickets.

Runs were a struggle for Kingsbridge, who were glad of an unbeaten 61 from Chris Bowles for holding it together.

With Bowles and Chris Clarke (21) getting their heads down, Kingsbridge limped from 78 for six to 163 for eight.

Keith Wakeham (2-54) and Paul Thomas (2-43) provided the bowling back up to Steve Bowden (3-29).

Pens had victory in the bag with nearly four overs to spare – and once again they were led home by Jonny Ranjit (36no).

Neil Peace (3-31) and Bhanuka DaSilva (2-30) caused a problem or two, but after Sam Wakeham (25no) made a hole in the deficit, Ranjit and Joe Abbott (25no) saw it through.