Sides fly high - and low - in latest Devon League cricket battles

By David Hammond

The weekend of the English Riviera Airshow saw several of our first elevens take flight to other parts of the county for their week five action.  And with mixed results.

Paignton had another reality check in a 55-run defeat at Exmouth.  Jason Niemand the standout again for Exmouth, with 97 runs and 5-44.  Opening the batting and bowling.

Divyaansh Saxena does the same for Paignton.  He and in-form Harry Ward (75) put on 125 for the first wicket chasing 310 to win at The Maer.  James Horler also struck 129 for Exmouth.

But Paignton’s delicate middle order again failed to build on a good start.  The game ending with them on 254-9.

Bovey Tracey stay second, behind leaders Cornwood, following a 45-run win at Instow.  This without Australian all-rounder Alex Bevilaqua.  Captain Lewis Hammett top scored with 82 in Bovey’s 234-7.  The wickets were shared around when North Devon were dismissed for 189 in reply.

In week six, Paignton are at home to Heathcoat as Bovey entertain Sidmouth.

The in and out A Division form of Torquay continued with a three-wicket loss at Exeter.  Runs were hard to come by in their 150 all out.  Ruan Terblanche contributing 35.

Exeter comfortably knocked off the required target, against Torquay’s predominantly spin attack, inside thirty-three overs.

Abbotskerswell are still winless, and prop up the table, after a two-wicket defeat at newcomers Clyst St. George.

This Saturday, Torquay host leaders Kilmington. Whilst Abbots play Exeter at Two Mile Oak.

Barton are experiencing a painful return to B Division.  Bridestowe is proving a difficult place to win, and the division leaders brushed aside Barton’s challenge with relative ease.  Bowling them out for 125 in reply to 247-8.

Ipplepen are still bottom after losing by three wickets at Chudleigh.  This despite posting an impressive 297-4, which included 178 not out from Neil Hancock.  Will Heather’s 124 set Chudleigh up well in reply and they got home with nine balls to spare.

This Saturday sees both teams return home.  Barton take on Cullompton whilst Ipplepen play Sandford 2nds.

There is no stopping Stoke Gabriel in C Division West.  They turned, what looked like, a hot looking local derby against Brixham into a procession at Aish.  Brixham were dismissed for just 101.  Captain Tom Hopper (56) scoring over half their runs by himself.

Justin Pringle (68) and Abhishek Anand (29) then blasted Stoke home for the ten-wicket win in just ten overs!

Babbacombe recorded their first win, by 105 runs, against bottom side Dartington and Totnes.  Rob Redding hit 98 in Babbacombe’s 294-3.  Ben Passmore took 4-33 as Darts were bowled out for 189.

Stoke visit Ashburton next.  When Babbacombe travel to Yelverton.  Brixham are at home to Cornwood 2nds and Darts play Kingsbridge at Foxhole.

Teignmouth and Shaldon continued their great start in C Division East.  Seamus McKenna top scored with 144 in their 298-8.  This proved too much for Heathcoat 2nds, who finally succumbed at 159 all out.  Teigns travel to Exmouth 2nds next.

Chelston and Kingskerswell found it tough at Queen’s Park against top of the table Paignton 2nds in D Division West.  They were bowled out for 98, chasing 231 to win.

South Devon got back to winning ways with a five wicket win at Kenn.  Sean Andrews’ 4-36 helped dismiss the home side for 150.  Mike Smith was 45 not out at the end as the Newton Abbot side won in exactly 29 overs.

South Devon host Barton 2nds on Saturday.  When Chelston and Kingskerswell host Kenn.

In E Division West, Torquay 2nds are undefeated.  The combined experience and guile of captain Matt McCann and Mike Pugh was again to the fore in their latest win.  By 149 runs over Bovey Tracey 3rds.

Hear more local cricket on my radio show ‘South Devon Sports Scene.’  Broadcast every Wednesday evening from 6pm on Riviera FM (107.9FM).