Devon Cricket Board - Ashfords East Devon League Update

Ashford's Indoor Club Cricket League

Grand Finals Night - Bovey Do The Double, Shobrooke Rescue Season.

The Indoor Club Cricket League, based at the Indoor Cricket Centre, and kindly supported by Ashford's Tiverton Office.

League chairman Nigel Ashplant receives sponsorship cheque from Stephen Walker of Ashfords LLP Tiverton

Bovey Tracey Division 1 and Plate Winners 2012

Sam Wyatt Haines, Ryan Bougard, Ben Roberts, Jamie Fulner, Chris Clayton, Chris Bradley

Bovey Tracey completed a league and cup double on Grand Finals Night when they defeated Witheridge in an eventful Plate Final. Batting first Bovey reached 79-1 at halfway, looking likely to set a formidable total. They didn't bargain for Dan Coles who produced a suberb 3 over spell taking 4-26, including a hat trick. He accounted for Fulner (29), Bradley (21) and the dangerous Wyatt Haines (25) along with Roberts. Bovey were dismissed from the last ball of their 12 overs for 119, a gettable target.

Bovey were shaken in to action and 2 wickets from Wyatt Haines first over had Witheridge reeling at 7-2. Only Rob Sewell (37) came to terms with the impressive Bovey attack and wickets fell at regular intervals. Witheridge eventually succumbed with 2 balls left and 27 runs adrift.

Bovey, as Divison 1 winners now go on to represent the centre in the Devon Finals of the ECB National Competition on 10th February.

Dan Coles - Hat Trick Man

Shobrooke Park Triumph against Sandford In Winner Takes All Play Off

Cup Winners Shobrooke Park

Back: Peter Steer, Richard Pyle, Dan Pyle, Justin Dollow

Front: Andrew Steer, Jon James

Division 2 Winners Sandford

Back: Ben Hancock, Luke Wright, Steve Morish, Shaun Fryett

Front: Nigel Ashplant, Ash Baker

Shobrooke Park played local rivals, Sandford, in a game that was not only the Peter Blight Cup Final but also a promotion play off. Shobrooke had a wretched league season, failing to win a Division 1 game, while Sandford were unbeaten as Division 2 champions. The winners of the game not only won the cup but would play in Division 1 next season. There was also the small matter of bragging rights for these near neighbours.

Sandford batted first and their reliable openers Wright (22) and Hancock (44*) got them past 60 without loss. It was the introduction of part time bowler James that stopped the Sandford train. He bowled 3 overs taking 2-21 and was well supported by young Dan Pyle who only conceded 21 in his 3 overs. The Ford ended on 113-4, probably 20 runs short of where they hoped to be.

The Shobrooke response was positive, Richard Pyle (16) and Dollow (21) getting starts. Wickets fell at regular intervals and Sandford were always in the game. With 3 overs to go Andrew Steer was the last man standing, and 13 still needed. The game went to the last over. Steer jnr kept his head and the winning runs were scored with 4 balls remaining. Wright was the most successful Sandford bowler with 2-23 from 3 overs. The Ford had only themselves to blame, as they gave 42 runs in extras.

The semi finals of the Peter Blight Cup and Plate Competition produced two close games, and two very one sided affairs. First up in the Cup were Division 2 champions who met runners up Newton St Cyres, who had produced an upset in the first round, beating Bovey Tracey. There was no repeat of this giant killing act.. Batting first, Sandford compiled an impressive 143-1 with Chris Blake, George Greed, Shaun Fryett and Nigel Ashplant all retiring at 25. Only skipper Ash Baker(0) missed out. In reply, Newton were overwhelmed by the Sandford attack, with no players reaching double figures. They were dismissed for 45 in only 7 overs.

The second semi final was a much closer affair between Exeter and Shobrooke Park. The Park had failed to win any of their league games, and were looking to salvage their season with a cup run. Exeter batted first and were all out for 98 in the final over. Tom Wothington top scored with 30 and was well supported by George Greenaway. Pete Steer with 1-14 from 3 overs, and Phil Anning (2-22) were the pick of the Park bowlers. Shobrooke set off with purpose and the experienced Richard Pyle (21) and all rounder Anning (24) got the score up to 68 at the halfway stage without losing a wicket. Greenaway(2-17) put the brakes on, and there were a nervous few overs as wickets fell, before young Dan Pyle steered the Park home to a 2 wicket victory with 9 balls to spare.

The Peter Blight Cup Final will be between local rivals Sandford and Shobrooke Park. These teams also contest the promotion play off. It could be an interesting Grand Finals night on the 14th December!

The first Plate semi final saw surprise first round losers, Bovey Tracey, against Erratics. Bovey were first up and failed to bat their 12 overs. They were all out for 116 with an over to go. Erratics did well to take all 6 wickets, with the help of 3 run outs. Chris Bradley held the innings together with 33. Young Ben Roberts, batting at 6, made sure the final score was respectable, with 16 not out. In reply, any hopes that Erratics had of springing a surprise were quickly dashed. Chris Ferro with 26 was the only batter to offer much resistance as Sam Wyatt-Haines with an impressive 3-7 from 3 overs, and Roberts 2-12, ripped the Erratics apart. They reached 56 all out in 10 overs.

In the other semi final Exeter 2 produced their worst performance of the season against a determined Witherdge side. Exeter 2 batted all their 12 overs, but could only muster 58-3 against tight bowling from Strong, 8 runs in 3 overs and Parr, 7 runs in 3 overs. It was never going to be enough, and Witheridge made sure of an early night, reaching their target in 5 overs for the loss of Skipper Hilton (17). Dan Coles was unbeaten on 21.

The Plate Final, also being played on 14th December is between Bovey Tracey and Witheridge. Although Bovey will start favourites, Witheridge go in to the game knowing they are the only side to have beaten the moorlanders this season.

Cup competition - Big upset in First round.

The first round of the Peter Blight Cup was notable for a shock defeat for Division 1 winners at the hands of 2nd Division Newton St Cyres. Bovey could justifiably feel a little aggrevieved at this reverse. Having had selection problems because of their own clubs AGM, and the need for Devon skipper to be at Teignbridge Sports Personality awards, they arrived for their game to find only two of the opposition who had suffered some communication difficulties. Bovey sportingly allowed the Saints time to get all their players to the centre, resulting in the game being reduced to 10 overs a side. The shortened game improved the underdogs chances, and they took full advantage.

Batting first Bovey reached 90 from their 10 overs thanks to unbeaten scores of 27 from Jo Barrs and Chris Carter. No one else got in to double figures.The hero for Newton was the experienced Johnson who only conceded 13 runs in his 3 overs. In reply Newton relied on Church who batted through the innings for 25, and some handy pitching in from their other batters. They still needed 18 from the last over, bowled by Bovey skipper James Mason, The victory came with a single off the penultimate ball. An obviously disappointed Bovey skipper took the defeat in good part, refusing to blame the delay in starting for his teams defeat.

Newton will meet Division 2 champions Sandford in the first cup semi final. They proved too strong for Erratics, avenging last years defeat in the cup. Sandford batted first and amassed 119-4 with significant contributions from wicket keeping duo Chris Blake(28*) and Nigel Ashplant (24). Erratics reply never really got going, only opener Jonathan Kirby (20) hanging around for long. There were 2 stumpings for Ashplant and two wickets for keeper turned leggie, Blake.

The third game was a potential banana skin for Exeter who had drawn their young second string. With the score at 16-2 and Rob Holman and Mike Wilkinson both out, the seconds had hopes of springing a surprise. However the indoor specialist Richard Nelsey scored an impressive 57 and had support from George Greenaway (26*) and Dave Richardson (20*). The final total of 135 was significantly more than seemed likely at one stage. Jake Reddick with 18 from his three overs of leg spin was the most successful 2nds bowler. He also earned some money from older brother Sam for dismissing Devon batter Holman. Sam was the two's highest scorer in a respectable reply of 99-3, Steve Easterbrook 21* offering good support.

Shobrooke Park will be Exeter's opponents in th other cup semi final. They avenged two league defeats against Witheridge with a comprehensive 5 wicket victory. A below par Witheridge were dismissed for 66 in 11.5 overs with all the Park bowlers playing their part. Andrew Steer was most successful with 2 wickets. It only took Shobrooke 6.3 overs to reach their target. Justin Dollow 22, and Phil Anning 24* doing the damage.

The defeated teams go one to contest the Plate Competition.

Bovey Tracey & Sandford win their Divisions.

Division 1 Champions Bovey Tracey

The final round of league matches saw one unbeaten record fall and one maintained. Division 1 Champions Elect, Bovey Tracey, were hopingto celebrate winningthe title at the first attempt, with a victory in their final match against Witheridge. They hadn't bargained for a determined performance from the Mid Devon side lookingto secure second place for themselves. Bovey made a respectable 117-3 thanks to Devon youngster Sam Wyatt-Haines unbeaten 37, supported by 23 from Chris Bradley. Witheridge looked down and out when three players failed to score. However the ever competitive Dan Coles started the recovery with 28 and then ran with last man standing Russell Hilton who hit a superb 46 not out to see Witheridge home by one wicket with 3 balls to spare.

In the other Division 1 game Shobrooke Park were hoping to break their losing run against Exeter. The city side set a stiff challenge as they reached 136-5 with contributions from Richard Nelsey (32), Jon Tipper (27) and George Greenaway (27*). The Park started well with Richard Pyle and Justin Dollow both hitting 31. all seemed lost as wickets fell, but a belligerent knock from number 6 Andrew Steer kept Shobrooke in the hunt. He hit 2 sixes as the last man. He was finally dismissed for 34 with 11 runs still needed. This result means Shobrooke Park meet the Division 2 winners to see who plays in Division 1 next season.

Their opponents will be Sandford who completed their league progamme by beating Exeter 2 by 47 runs, in a game reduced to 10 overs each, because of time restraints. Batting first, Sandford made an impressive 129-3 with Kiwi Luke Wright hitting 51, Ben Hancock (30*) and Shaun Fryett (25*) ending the season without being dismissed at all. In reply the young Exeter side made 82-5 with Sam Reddick the main contributor with 23. There were 3 wickets for canny Steve Morish. Exeter were the only side against whom Sandford did not take all their wickets.

In the other game Newton St Cyres and Erratics fought out a compelling contest with the result in doubt until the last ball. Newton posted 96-4 with Johnson (25) and Tahla (22) doing the bulk of the scoring. Erratics got to 72 before they lost a wicket. Jonathan Kirby drumming up 27 and Chris Ferro matching him beat for beat. Then the train hit the buffers! It came down to 4 needed of the last ball. Newton effected a run out to win by 3 runs, condemning Erratics to the wooden spoon in Division 2, and confirming second place for The Saints.

FINAL TABLE

Division 1	Team	Won	Lost	Match Points	Batting Points	Bowling Points	Total
1	Bovey Tracey	5	1	50	25	28	103
2	Witheridge	4	2	40	22	19	81
3	Exeter	3	3	30	24	26	80
4	Shobrooke Park	0	6	0	15	17	32
Division 2
1	Sandford	6	0	60	24	34	118
2	Newton St Cyres	3	3	30	12	28	70
3	Exeter 2	2	4	20	15	18	53
4	Erratics	1	5	10	12	18	40