Paignton underperform but Barton earn derby day glory

Long-awaited summer sunshine and warmer temperatures welcomed week two of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League but it was familiar tales and outcomes for many South Devon teams.

Paignton’s frustrating unpredictability shone through again with a disappointing eight-wicket loss to Exmouth in the Premier Division at Queens Park.

The home side never really got going against the Exmouth attack, stuttering to a meagre 148 all out. In reply, only 14.5 overs were needed for Exmouth to cruise home. Devon captain James Horler (41) and Dan Pyle (66) getting the job done with an unbeaten stand of 98.

Bovey Tracey notched-up their first win. Seb Ansley took 3-17 as relegation favourites Plympton were dismissed for 128. Musa Twala hit a brisk 46 not out in the reply, which only required 20 overs with the loss of 3 wickets.

Paignton are home again on Saturday to defending champions Sandford who, along with Cornwood, have won their first two games. Bovey are at Heathcoat.

In the A Division, South African Nathan Roux faces a mountain if he is going to match compatriot Ruan Terblanche’s run tally for Torquay last season, but he has begun impressively. A sensibly paced and crafted 108 on debut should have been enough to win the game if he had not run out of partners.

Plymouth recovered well from 30-4 to post 235-6, thanks mainly to Teddy Haffenden’s 101 but losing wickets at the wrong time cost the home side dearly as it did many times in 2023. Roux was the last man out with his team 30 runs short, with 10 overs still remaining.

Torquay and Kingskerswell travel to Plymstock next, as Abbotskerswell, who lost by 6 wickets at Instow against North Devon, host Bridestowe.

The tasty looking B Division derby went the way of Barton, who set Ipplepen a robust looking 229 to win on a slow Cricketfield Road pitch. Steve Lewis led from the front with a solid 89, frustratingly run out when looking set for his century. He was ably assisted by Adrian Lipton’s 50 not out and an alarming 42 wides gifted by the Ipplepen bowlers!

The amount of wides conceded by bowlers across all divisions was highlighted as a huge concern in this column last year. It already looks like this has not been addressed and will continue to cost teams vital runs.

Wickets were shared around Barton’s attack, holding Ipplepen’s reply to 197-9, including 55 from Mawgan Penrice and 48 not out from Noah Rider.

Stoke Gabriel are two wins from two after seeing off Clyst St. George at home by 25 runs. Justin Pringle smashed 12 sixes and 10 fours in his first ton of 2024 (139). There were three wickets for Jack Tolley, as Clyst’s reply ran out of overs at 239-5.

Barton visit Bovey Tracey 2nds in week three, while Ipplepen host Cullompton. Stoke are at Hazeldown Oval to play Teignmouth and Shaldon, who lost by 68 runs at home to Bovey 2nds.

Brixham failed to reach three figures for the second week in a row in C Division West. They won the toss but were dismissed for just 87 at Oak Park against Cornwood 2nds. The home side took 17.3 overs to win by 7 wickets.

South Devon comfortably beat Yelverton Bohemians by 8 wickets after bowling the visitors out for 110, Chathula Bhagya Fonseka taking 4-13.

Ashburton beat Kingsbridge by 134 runs for a second maximum point haul and head the division with Ivybridge. Paignton 2nds are third after their 4 wicket-win at Plymouth 2nds. Ollie Woodcock hit 91, and former 1st XI skipper Mark Orchard 65, in Paignton’s winning total of 263-7.

This Saturday sees Brixham at home to Ashburton. South Devon travel to Kingsbridge and Paignton 2nds to Yelverton.

In D Division West, Babbacombe are two wins from two after beating Dartington and Totnes by 21 runs at Walls Hill. They are home again this week against Hatherleigh 2nds.