Cricket: Medlock leads Paignton to fourth victory

Grey cloud draped itself menacingly across the county for week five of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League but, despite the cooler conditions, disruptive rain stayed away.  The mood was far from gloomy at Queen’s Park, where Paignton made it four from four with a dramatic 42-run win over Sandford in the Premier Division.

Noah Wright and Luke Medlock’s solid opening stand of 101 set up the prospect of a big total, with Medlock again looking in exquisite form. Dominating the batting, he matched, then surpassed last week’s hundred with a second, back-to-back, century (132 off 113 balls with 14 fours and 5 sixes). Although 300 always looked likely, Paignton settled for 294-9.

It all went Paignton’s way after the break.  Ayabulela Gqamane had the visitors reeling at 11-2 until inspirational captain Jackson Thompson (63) led the recovery.  Next, a formidable partnership of 125 between Aryan Lakra (98) and Praison Alias (52) put Sandford in the driving seat until Alias was spectacularly run out by Harry Ward.  Gqamane (4-21) returned, bowled Lakra then swiftly had the last man caught to trigger joyous and deserved celebrations (252 all out).

Paignton are surprising many, but seemingly not themselves. This group of young players are finally maturing into a much wiser and competent unit.  Add in the experience and guile of Gqamane and they are a serious outfit this season.

They trail leaders Bradninch and Kentisbeare by one point.  These two remaining the only unbeaten teams.  Week five sees Paignton home again, taking on Exeter.

In the A Division, Torquay and Kingskerswell were inserted by league leaders Tavistock and found the tricky home pitch not to their liking.  9-2 early on with both Chris Kelmere and Nathan Roux dismissed without scoring.  Harry Passenger’s 69 was vital in posting a defendable total of 157 all out.  

Despite a mid-innings wobble, Tavistock held their nerve to win for the loss of six wickets, inside 36 overs.  Passenger (4-31) again having the best returns.

Bovey Tracey had regulars missing for the trip to Thorverton and this compounded to produce an eight-wicket loss.  A total of 133 all out was far from enough.  The hosts easing to victory in the 20th over.

Barton’s miserable start continued with an eight-wicket loss at Plympton.  99 all out meant Barton have now failed to reach treble figures in three of their first four starts.  Plympton wasted little time in chasing down the 100 to win in 14.2 overs.

Torquay and KK visit Cullompton on Saturday, as Barton face another difficult test at home to second-place Hatherleigh.  Bovey are at Kilmington.

In the B Division, Stoke Gabriel’s long journey home from Braunton was much sweeter after a well-paced three-wicket win.  Chasing a daunting target of 333, Stoke had Abhishek Anand’s 148 not out to thank.  He and skipper Jack Tolley (62) put on 133 for the first wicket.  And aided by Liam Mair’s 65, Stoke got there with two balls to spare.

Ipplepen have lost their way.  League leaders Plymstock were held to 225 all out at Moor Road, but this was not backed up with the bat.  Plymstock captain Tom Mitch bagged 4-16, including an all-LBW hat-trick, as Ipplepen slumped to 52 all out.

More woe for Abbotskerswell.  Their third loss, from four outings, came at Bovey Tracey 2nds by 91 runs.  Saturday sees Abbots host Stoke Gabriel, whilst Ipplepen play at Bovey 2nds.

In C Division West, Brixham are winless no more.  All six bowlers took scalps as visitors Ipplepen 2nds were bowled out for 178.  A much better batting display saw Brixham home in the 42nd over for the loss of two wickets.  Rhys Dallow scored 89 and Tom Hopper remained 43 not out, hitting the winning boundary with three overs to spare.

Ashburton are still unbeaten after an eight-wicket win at Plymstock 2nds.  Five points separate them from title favourites Cornwood 2nds at the top.  Cornwood secured another straightforward win, by eight wickets at home to Chudleigh.

South Devon are going well, up to third after beating Teignmouth and Shaldon at home, by five wickets.  Jack Allen (4-22) and Jon Martin (3-16) the main architects of Teigns’ 88 all out.  Paignton 2nds lost by 166 runs at Kingsbridge. 

Week five schedules Ashburton at home to Paignton 2nds, South Devon at Plymstock 2nds, Teignmouth and Shaldon at Kingsbridge.  Rejuvenated Brixham face a daunting trip to Cornwood 2nds.

Babbacombe could not pull off a first D Division West win at home to Ivybridge 2nds, losing by 41 runs.  They are back at Walls Hill on Saturday to face local rivals Barton 2nds, who are now third after beating Plymouth 2nds by two wickets.

Stokeinteignhead’s fourth straight win in the E Division West came at Torre Valley North, by six wickets, against Paignton 3rds.  They go to Whitchurch Wayfarers this week.