Paignton storm to victory despite blustery weather

Paignton enjoyed the unseasonal conditions more than most to notch a vital 26-run win at Plympton in the Premier Division. Neil Hancock (62) led the way in their precarious looking 157 all out. Paignton, however, gave nothing away in the field as Plympton fell short. Three wickets each for Charlie Ward and Rory Medlock. South African all-rounder Kelly Smuts made his Paignton debut in the game.

Bovey Tracey have slipped to seventh after their sixth-straight loss in a low scoring, revised overs, game at leaders Sandford.

Paignton (eighth) travel to Cornwood (third) in week 12. Bovey aiming to ‘stop the rot’ at home to Plympton (ninth).

Ruan Terblanche took his seasonal run total to 879 with another match winning innings of 87 as Torquay beat Budleigh Salterton in A Division.

Harry Baxendale (3-21) and Tom Drake (3-12) were the pick of the Torquay bowlers in restricting Budleigh to 166-9. A measured reply saw them home with nine overs and three wickets to spare.

With Exeter’s game at Hatherleigh abandoned, Torquay are now just seven points behind the leaders.

Plymouth’s 276-6 proved too much for Abbotskerswell who fell 107 runs short in reply. Saturday sees Torquay make the short journey to Abbotskerswell (seventh).

Another disappointing day for Barton in B Division. Barton let Plymstock off the hook more than once as they posted 167-8, before self-imploding again with the bat. Nobody supporting Steve Lewis (47) in a toothless 106 all out in reply.

Ipplepen’s game at leaders Bridestowe was a weather cancellation.

Barton (seventh) travel to Chudleigh (fourth) on Saturday as Ipplepen (ninth) host Seaton (tenth) in an important relegation avoidance contest.

Stoke Gabriel kept their lead at the top of C Division West thanks to an impressive 101-run win over Kingsbridge at Aish. Abhishek Anand starred with 100 not out in Stoke’s 238-6. Kingsbridge always second best in reply.

Brixham’s excellent recent form continued with a 26-run home win over Ashburton. Matt Parsons took 3-26 as Ashburton crumbled to 131 all out chasing 158 to win.

Babbacombe have not now won since week five in early June. A 65-run loss at home to Ivybridge the latest disappointment in a challenging season. Dartington and Totnes’ game at Yelverton was cancelled.

Stoke are at Walls Hill to play Babbacombe (ninth) on Saturday. Brixham (third) go to Foxhole to play Darts (still bottom).

Teignmouth and Shaldon were straight back to winning ways, in C Division East, with a nine-wicket defeat of Shobrooke Park at Hazeldown Oval. Ruben Minnaar (81 not out) wasted no time reaching their revised target inside fifteen overs. They next face Braunton (second) at home in a potential title decider.

Ipplepen 2nds upset South Devon’s quest to chase down Paignton 2nds at the top of D Division West. South Devon’s 167 all out was not enough. Ipplepen were home inside thirty overs for the loss of five wickets. Chris Needham hit 84 after earlier taking 3-49.

Chelston and Kingskerswell picked up a crucial win at Ivybridge 2nds. Mangalam Agarwal’s 4-30 was instrumental in holding Ivybridge five runs short of their revised target of 189 to win.

Paignton 2nds are now 38 points clear at the top after a facile nine-wicket win over Barton 2nds at Queen’s Park.

South Devon next host Hatherleigh 2nds (sixth) as Chelston and Kingskerswell (seventh) are at home to Lewdown (eighth).

Congratulations to Bovey Tracey who made it three Aaron Printers Cup titles in a row when they beat Ipplepen by six wickets at Marsh Road, Newton Abbot on Sunday.
Hear more local cricket on my radio show ‘South Devon Sports Scene.’ Broadcast every Wednesday evening from 6pm on Riviera FM (107.9FM).