Remarkable result set up Bovey for great escape

There are four Saturdays remaining in the Tolchards Devon Cricket League, but all eyes are already on the final day (August 31) at Bovey Tracey, where one fixture could determine which our of local clubs keeps/loses its Premier Division status.

For the first time this season, Bovey Tracey moved above Paignton after pulling off the performance of week fourteen, winning by 104 runs at Sandford. Musa Twala’s 76 guided Bovey towards a solid-looking 246-8 at Creedy Park.

Three wickets each for Ollie Clifford-Bourne and Jake Pascoe spearheaded a superb effort in the field, which saw defending champions Sandford bowled out for 142. A remarkable result on paper to record only Bovey’s fourth win of the season and Sandford’s third loss.

Meanwhile at Queens Park, Paignton’s fragile batting again triggered their 111-run defeat at the hands of Bradninch and Kentisbeare, who jump back over Sandford to lead the Premier by twelve points.

There were three wickets each for Jack Harman and Luke Medlock in Bradninch’s 240-9, but Abhay Negi’s 48 was the only innings of note as Paignton crumbled to 129 all out in the 28th over.

Bovey (8th) have a three-point lead over Paignton (9th) approaching week fifteen. Hope for Paignton lies in a trip to all but relegated Plympton as Bovey are tested at home to in-form Exeter (3rd).

Pivotal fixtures did not go the right way for our local teams in the A Division. Torquay and Kingskerswell’s batting is always potentially sketchy after the first four and this proved to be the case against Bridestowe at The Rec.

Inserted by the opposition, Torquay and KK fell from 101-2 to 145 all out, Nathan Roux top scoring with a gallant 54. Bridestowe were 27-3 in reply, thanks to Ritesh Dabhade’s three early wickets, but guided by Shaquan Glasgow’s 53 not out, they came home comfortably enough in the 34th over, for the loss of five wickets.

Bridestowe jump back to second place, twelve points behind leaders North Devon, who won by three wickets at Tavistock. Torquay and KK a further ten behind in third.

When there was a glimmer of hope for a great escape, Abbotskerswell’s old ways returned to haunt them with a tame seven-wicket loss in a must-win game at Plymstock. Bowled out for just 112, Abbots were never competitive and at 32 points from safety, it is odds-on for B Division cricket at Two Mile Oak next season.

Week fifteen sees Abbots (10th) host Thorverton (6th), as Torquay and KK go to Instow to face champions-elect North Devon.

Cullompton stay top of the B Division after a 53-run win at Stoke Gabriel. Set 201 to win, Stoke were soon 21-2. Abhishek Anand’s 73 gave real hope, but middle-order collapses saw them come up short at 147 all out in the 40th over.

Barton returned to winning ways by expectedly beating rock-bottom Chudleigh at Cricketfield Road. An impressive 313-6 was always going to be too much for the visitors. Two centurions for Barton, Tarisai Musakanda passing 800 league runs with his fourth ton (101) and second against Chudleigh, then Adam Parker (105) notched three figures for the first time in 2024. Wickets were shared as Chudleigh’s reply ceased at 181 all out.

Ipplepen beat Clyst St. George by six wickets at Moor Road. But Teignmouth and Shaldon had a bad day despite electing to bat first. 121 all out was never going to be enough against a rejuvenated Budleigh Salterton at Hazeldown Oval. The visitors claiming the full twenty points with victory inside the 15th over.

This week Barton have the opportunity to regain top spot when they visit Cullompton. Stoke Gabriel (3rd) need to win at Budleigh Salterton (4th) to keep promotion hopes alive, while Ipplepen (6th) visit still winless Chudleigh (10th). Teignmouth and Shaldon (8th) go north to Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! (5th).

Mark Orchard’s 100 guided Paignton 2nds to another win in C Division West. Set 190 to win, Ashburton limped to 101 all out, Tom Blundell claiming 3-18. Ivybridge’s two-wicket win over South Devon keeps them top with a slender four-point lead over Paignton.

A very early finish at North Boundary Road, where Brixham destroyed relegation threatened Yelverton Bohemians by nine wickets. Gangul Ravina Silva claimed 4-6 as Yelverton were skittled for just 60. Only nine overs required for the facile Brixham win.

This week, Paignton host Kingsbridge (4th). Brixham (5th) travel to Sandford 2nds (7th) and there is another local derby in Newton Abbot as South Devon (8th) take on Ashburton (6th).

Finally, Teignmouth and Shaldon came close to lifting the T20 Ivor Dewdney Corinthian Cup on finals day at Sandford on Sunday. They beat Uplyme and Lyme Regis in the semi-final, only to lose by eight wickets to Cullompton, semi-final conquerors of Stoke Gabriel, in the final.