Paignton survival sends Bovey Tracey down

When the Premier Division fixtures for The Tolchards Devon Cricket League were published earlier in the year, many would not have pinpointed the final day clash between our two South Devon representatives as a “winner stays up” affair.

But that is exactly how it was at Bovey Tracey Recreation Ground for the visit of Paignton on Saturday.

Bovey, buoyed by recent wins over the eventual champions and runners-up, decided to bat, but could not have got off to a worse start. Abhay Negi’s fourth ball of the game bowled Jake Pascoe for 0, and he was swiftly followed back to the pavilion by dangerman Musa Twala, bowled by Charlie Ward for 4 in his first over.

After nine overs, Bovey were 16-4 and already looking doomed. They limped to 103 all out with Negi ultimately claiming 5-20 and Ward 3-45.

Paignton have frustratingly faltered in run chases again this season but were not going to lose this one. Luke Medlock’s 64 not out driving them safely home, for the loss of three wickets, inside nineteen overs.

The loss means Bovey, as last year, finish in the second relegation spot, but could again be saved, if the same ECB rules and regulations that prevent promotion for A Division runners-up Bridestowe are implemented. A difficult and potentially unpopular decision either way now faces the Devon Cricket League for a second time.

Meanwhile, Bradninch and Kentisbeare celebrated the Premier Division championship title with a fourteenth win, by five wickets, over a much-improved Exeter side. Sandford are runners-up.

In the A Division, Bridestowe’s second place finish, behind champions North Devon, was confirmed with a facile nine-wicket home win over relegated Plymstock. Plymouth are third despite losing at Tavistock but could potentially get the nod as they do meet the ECB guidelines for Premier cricket.

Torquay and Kingskerswell finish the season in fourth after a four-wicket loss at Kilmington. They had Chris Kelmere to thank yet again for their defendable total of 213-7. In the process of carrying his bat, Kelmere passed 900 league runs with a typically robust 98 not out.

The seven bowlers used by Harry Passenger could not stop Kilmington reaching their target in the 33rd over for the loss of six wickets.

Abbotskerswell waved goodbye to the division with their thirteenth loss of a very disappointing summer. It was by four wickets at home to Hatherleigh.

Cullompton confirmed themselves B Division champions in good style, running up 331-1 at home to Teignmouth and Shaldon. The visitors fought hard in reply, but eventually ran out of hope at 226 all out and the 105-run loss was enough to send them back down after just one year of B Division cricket. Chudleigh being the other team relegated.

Barton needed a win at Budleigh Salterton and a Cullompton loss to win the league. Unfortunately, neither happened, but the Cricketfield Road club can be very proud of a successful summer finishing second and a return to A Division cricket in 2025.

The inspirational Tarisai Musakanda passed 1,000 league runs for the season with his 75 in Barton’s 256-8 at The Holt. Tom Drake weighed-in with 73, although this proved to be too few on the day. Budleigh timed their reply well, edging home with five balls to spare for the loss of five wickets.

Stoke Gabriel finished a good fourth in the table. They signed-off the season with a proficient four-wicket home win over Ipplepen, who finish sixth. Mike Smith’s 4-43 helped bowl Ipplepen out for 226. Stoke patiently reached the target inside the 38th over, with Jack Tolley (65) and Abhishek Anand (72) leading the way.

Paignton 2nds assured themselves of the deserved runners-up spot in C Division West’s with a two-wicket win over Brixham at Queens Park. Ivybridge having already claimed the title and single promotion place. South Devon did just enough to stay up despite a 56-run home loss to Cornwood 2nds.

It was definitely all on the last day in D Division West, but Babbacombe’s three-wicket loss at Plymstock 2nds ended any last-minute promotion hopes. Plymstock 2nds and Ipplepen 2nds were the ones celebrating after vital final day wins.

Babbacombe finish fifth, but another damaging defeat, at Plymouth CS and Roborough, saw Totnes and Dartington relegated, which in-turn saved Barton 2nds.

Torquay and Kingskerswell 2nds lost by 55 runs to Tavistock 2nds at The Rec but are still comfortably promoted from E Division West with champions Chagford.

Stokeinteignhead celebrated promotion from F Division West with a 78-run win at Kingsbridge 2nds. And a five-wicket win for Torquay and Kingskerswell 3rds, at Teignmouth and Shaldon 3rds, meant a double promotion celebration in the club’s first season since its merger. They finish runners-up in H Division Central.

Next week, there will be one more final review piece on how the 2024 cricket season played out.