Paignton record crucial Premier League victory

Week six of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League is very early for a must win game. But Paignton may have been thinking that way before taking on Plympton in the Premier Division at Queens Park.

Choosing to bat looked a good decision as Paignton set their visitors 252 to win, all-rounder Charlie Ward top scoring with 85.

Plympton captain Elliot Hamilton anchored the reply but found little in the way of support. His 94 was the standout in their 203 all out. The ever-dependable Cole Harford was in the wickets again, with a 4-21 haul.

Paignton move to 7th with this much-needed second win. Bovey Tracey replace them in 9th following a 145-run loss at Exeter. 348 to win was always going to be a huge ask, especially given both teams’ recent form.

On Saturday, Paignton make their annual trip to The Fortfield to play Sidmouth (8th), whilst Bovey have another tough assignment at second-placed Bradninch and Kentisbeare, who inflicted a first defeat of the season on Sandford, cutting their lead at the top to four points.

Dryer conditions usually see run tallies increase and spectators at The Rec in Torquay saw 683 scored in the A Division clash between Torquay and Kingskerswell and North Devon.

Invited to bat, North Devon quickly set their stall out for what was to come. Somerset Academy’s Blaise Baker disappearing for 22 in the first over!

Steady scoring throughout saw North Devon run up a formidable 365-6, centuries from Jack Moore and Jack Whittaker.

Torquay and Kingskerswell’s batting strength comes in the top four and all made runs. Nathan Roux hitting his second ton of the season (110), but the middle and lower orders could not continue the early promise and the innings ended on 318-9. They now find themselves in 7th after this third loss.

Abbotskerswell are on a downward spiral, let down by not scoring enough runs. Loss number five came at Thorverton. Captain Nick Watkin led by example with 3-28 and 35, but 115 all out was 49 too short and Abbots remain bottom.

This Saturday sees the A Division South Devon derby between the two clubs at Two Mile Oak.

Barton and Stoke Gabriel continue to set the pace in the B Division, with Ipplepen now up to 3rd.

Steve Lewis came agonisingly close again to his maiden century, falling for 95. Tarisai Musakanda’s 46 and Tom Drake’s 59 not out also helped Barton to set Cullompton 231 to win at Cricketfield Road.

Musakanda’s 4-38 and Matt Lipton’s 3-24 were instrumental in restricting the reply to 216 all out. The game marked Adam Parker’s 300th first team appearance for Barton.

Budleigh Salterton must have regretted their decision to bat as they were bowled out for 123 at Stoke Gabriel. Three wickets each for Jake Robinson and Jack Tolley.

A few jitters in the reply, with seven wickets lost, but Stoke were home inside 39 overs to remain six points behind Barton.

Reuben Stanley’s four, from the penultimate ball of the match, gave Ipplepen a dramatic fourth win, by 5 wickets over Chudleigh at Moor Road, and in the process notched-up his century (102 not out).

This after Chudleigh had two centurions of their own in Matt Heather (100) and Manroz Bhullar (133 not out).

Teignmouth and Shaldon secured their first win with 20-run defeat of Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! Josh Couch blasted 58 from 30 balls, and Alastair Cliffe contributed 65 not out, in the 215 all out. Couch then returned figures of 4-29 in the visitors’ 195 all out.

Week seven sees Barton go north to Westward Ho! Stoke are at Chudleigh (10th), whilst Ipplepen are at Bovey Tracey 2nds (6th) and Teignmouth and Shaldon (9th) visit Clyst St. George (8th).

Brixham are improving in C Division West. 241-8 proving to be just enough for a 7-run win over Sandford 2nds. Michael Barron again in the runs with 67 and a valuable 21 from Holly Perkin, who is now getting deserved first team opportunities.

Paignton 2nds won again to stay second, by 20 runs at Kingsbridge. Max Pedley claimed 4-24 as the home side came up short. Ivybridge maintain a three-point lead at the top following their fifth win at home to Plymouth 2nds. The top two play each other at Queens Park on Saturday.

South Devon’s short journey to Ashburton ended in a disappointing 118-run defeat. Chris Yeo’s 6-16 was a telling factor in South Devon’s 136 all out.

The other games in week seven are Brixham (7th) v Kingsbridge (5th) at North Boundary Road. South Devon (6th) are at Plymouth 2nds (9th) and Ashburton (3rd) travel down to Yelverton (8th).

Babbacombe stay second in D Division West after beating Barton 2nds by 31 runs at Walls Hill. They travel to Ivybridge 2nds (4th) this week.