Ruan rattles up fourth century for Torquay

Lunchtime rain showers prompted minor disruption to week ten of the 2023 Tolchards Devon Cricket League with most games seeing slightly reduced-overs contests.
The second half of the season started brightly, in the eventually emerging sunshine, for Torquay in A Division. Thanks again to the most in-form batter in the county, Ruan Terblanche. His fourth century of the season (137) helped Torquay set Tavistock 279 to win in 40 overs. They fell 105 runs short. Harry Baxendale (4-29) and Harry Passenger (3-41) made sure Torquay keep within 15 points of leaders Exeter.
Terblanche has already amassed 792 league runs at an average of 132, with the promise of many more to come. On Saturday, Torquay make their first trip to ‘The Holt,’ Budleigh Salterton’s brand new home.
Abbotskerswell (now seventh) will head to Plymouth (sixth) on the back of a third-straight win. By 32 runs over struggling Budleigh at Two Mile Oak.
Paignton’s contrary season in the Premier Division continued with a six-wicket defeat to leaders Sandford at Queen’s Park. Their gutsy 215-7 off 40 overs was not enough. Ollie Woodcock impressing with 57. Sandford got home for the loss of four wickets, in the 33rd over.
It was a day when Paignton said goodbye to star all-rounder Divyaansh Saxena, who has been recalled to Mumbai. Saxena departs early having scored 427 runs (one century), taken 16 wickets and will be sorely missed.
Bovey Tracey remain sixth despite a fifth-straight loss at home to Bradninch and Kentisbeare. It was close, with Bovey needing three off the last over, with one wicket left. Samuel Taylor fell lbw to the first ball of the final over to give the visitors the win. Which keeps them second behind Sandford.
Paignton (ninth) are involved in what looks like a “must win” week eleven fixture at Plympton (eighth). Bovey travel to Sandford.
In B Division, Barton had a fruitless journey to Seaton where enough rain fell to cause a frustrating cancellation. Ipplepen’s resurgence came to a halt at home to in-form Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! (second). Another last over wicket, with the target well in sight, saw Ipplepen’s plucky chase fall agonisingly short by three runs.
Ipplepen (ninth) travel to league leaders Bridestowe in week eleven, as Barton (fifth) face Plymstock (fourth) at Cricketfield Road.
Stoke Gabriel increased their lead at the top of C Division West thanks to a 22-run win at Ivybridge. Justin Pringle hit 80 in their 187-5 which proved enough in the 37 overs-a-side clash.
Brixham are up to second after a strong team effort to win by 36 runs at Plymouth 2nds. Babbacombe slipped to an eighth loss, by 123 runs at Kingsbridge. But Dartington and Totnes have finally found that elusive first win. Defeating Cornwood 2nds, by 34 runs, at Foxhole.
Stoke are next in action at home to Kingsbridge (fifth). Brixham host Ashburton (eighth). Babbacombe (ninth) are home to Ivybridge (third) and Darts (still bottom) visit Yelverton (sixth).
Teignmouth and Shaldon slip to second in C Division East after experiencing their first defeat. By three wickets, in a reduced overs game, at Alphington and Countess Wear. Next up is home to Shobrooke Park.
It’s a two-horse race in D Division West. South Devon stay second behind leaders Paignton 2nds after beating Lewdown by 125 runs. Paignton defeated Kenn by two wickets.
Chelston and Kingskerswell are still in a slump. Loss number seven was by one wicket, at home to Ipplepen 2nds.
South Devon make the short journey to Ipplepen 2nds (sixth) on Saturday, as Chelston and Kingskerswell (ninth) face a salvage mission at Ivybridge 2nds (eighth).
Sunday afternoon (2pm) sees the final of the Aaron Printers Cup. Holders Bovey Tracey take on Ipplepen at Marsh Road, Newton Abbot.
Hear more local cricket on my radio show ‘South Devon Sports Scene.’ Broadcast every Wednesday evening from 6pm on Riviera FM (107.9FM).