It’s all shaping up nicely - apart from the weather!

Both teams, as well as the summer, needed a lift going into the Premier Division South Devon derby at a cloudy and breezy Queen’s Park on Saturday. A gripping game, in the end, saw Paignton prevail by two wickets and subsequently swap league places with Bovey Tracey.
A determined partnership of 103 between Seb Ansley (71) and Ashley Causey (61) helped Bovey eventually post a respectable 234-8, after being 22-3 and 73-5.
The Ward brothers got Paignton’s reply off to a solid start. A sensibly paced run-chase followed to see them home with eight balls to spare. Luke Medlock deserving of praise for his gritty 64 not out.
Paignton (seventh) are home again, in week fourteen, to play Exmouth (sixth). Bovey Tracey (eighth) must be very hopeful of their first win since early June with the visit of bottom club North Devon. Who were skittled out for just 27 at Bradninch on Saturday.
Sandford still lead the Premier (by ten points) despite an eight wicket home loss to Exmouth.
Torquay’s wheels well and truly came off in their A Division clash with Thorverton. The visitors were held to 127 all out. Harry Passenger taking 4-13 from nine overs. This looked a formality considering the form of opener Ruan Terblanche. However, he fell for one, in the second over, and the others swiftly followed. The whole side capitulating to 50 all out in the 21st over.
This unforeseen howler means Torquay are now 19 points behind leaders Exeter with Hatherleigh and Kilmington waiting in the wings. Torquay play Exeter at The Rec this week.
Abbotskerswell’s five wicket loss at Kilmington means relegation is still a possibility. They will need to be beating tenth placed Clyst St. George at home on Saturday.
A much happier Saturday in B Division for Barton who proved too good for Sandford 2nds at Cricketfield Road. In-form Steve Lewis hit 76 not out in their 190-6. Finley Last’s 4-27 and Adam Parker’s 3-30, to go with his 59 runs, helped bowl out Sandford for 155 in reply.
A good win on the road for Ipplepen lifts them to seventh. Noah Rider took 4-25 as Bovey Tracey 2nds were dismissed for 97 in reply to Ipplepen’s 193 all out.
Saturday sees both sides at home. Barton (fifth) take on leaders Bridestowe and Ipplepen entertain Chudleigh (third).
Stoke Gabriel lead C Division West by 19 points from Brixham. Jake Robinson’s 3-11 helped dismiss Plymouth 2nds for 128. Stoke eased home for the loss of one wicket in the 27th over.
Brixham saw off Kingsbridge in similar fashion. Passing the required 100 to win for the loss of two wickets in the 21st over. Brixham will become credible title contenders if they can beat Stoke at North Boundary Road on Saturday.
At the other end, Babbacombe (ninth) travel to bottom club Dartington and Totnes in a fixture that looks likely to be part of the D Division West schedule in 2024. Both teams lost again in week thirteen. Babbacombe, by eight wickets, at Cornwood 2nds. Darts by 142 runs at Ashburton.
With Braunton losing to Ottery St. Mary, Teignmouth and Shaldon returned to the top of C Division East following their 17-run win at Uplyme and Lyme Regis. Carl Woolnough and Jawad Shirzad with four wickets each for Teigns. They play at Heathcoat 2nds next.
Paignton 2nds are still 38 points clear at the top of D Division West following a facile ten wicket win at Ipplepen 2nds. South Devon remain second after beating Plymstock 2nds by a similar (nine wicket) margin and next host Kenn.
Paignton visit Chelston and Kingskerswell who are looking to avoid relegation. A 91-run loss at Hatherleigh 2nds returns them to the bottom two with five games left.
Hear more local cricket on my radio show ‘South Devon Sports Scene.’ Broadcast every Wednesday evening from 6pm on Riviera FM (107.9FM).