Brixham bring some cheer to a tough cricketing weekend

Baking temperatures before a weekend’s cricket often bring about a feast of runs in high-scoring games. Not so in week eight of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League, but still a Saturday full of drama albeit with disappointing outcomes for many local teams.

Paignton need a reset after consecutive home losses in the Premier Division. Devon opener Ben Privett struck 51 in Cornwood’s 177 all out at Queen’s Park. Best bowling figures returned by Charlie Ward (4-21) and Luke Medlock (3-32).

The target looked attainable but for Paignton’s batting demons to strike again, alongside tight bowling from the frugal Cornwood attack. Paignton never recovered from being 19-3 early on. Ayabulela Gqamane’s 32 was the highest score in a disappointing chase, which ended at 122 all out, Cornwood winning by 55 runs.

Paignton remain second, but 22 points off leaders Bradninch and Kentisbeare, who beat Exmouth by five wickets.

After a golden first six weeks, it will be compelling to see if this young home-grown team have the knowhow to get back to winning ways and remain genuine championship contenders. A testing trip to Mount Wise next to meet in-form Plymouth (3rd), who come off the back of three-straight wins.

In the A Division, Torquay and Kingskerswell thanked the last wicket partnership of 73, between Harry Baxendale (55) and Ritesh Dabhade (21 not out), for being able to post a defendable total against Thorverton at The Rec.

It proved a good toss to win, as inserted Torquay and KK found conditions difficult against astute bowling and the home side hobbled to 57-6. With a wagging tail, for a change, they recovered to 186 all out.

But Thorverton’s reply began confidently and never really looked back. Luke Vukusic (77 not out) the mainstay, batting through for the win in the 41st over, for the loss of three wickets. Torquay and KK drop to eighth place after this fourth defeat. Second-place Hatherleigh away is next.

It was a gallant, but ultimately futile, effort from struggling Barton at Cullompton. Nick Watkin (57) and Cole Harford (63) were the main run-makers in their respectable 274 all out, only for Dinesh Raheja to be their nemesis.

After taking 5-30, Raheja carried his bat for 117 not out, guiding Cullompton to a five-wicket win in the 47th over. Barton’s sixth loss leaves them 26 points adrift at the bottom with a home game against league leaders Tavistock next.

Bovey Tracey’s batting let them down at Plympton. Only Slade van Staden (53) got going and their 143 all out proved too few. The home side cruised home, without losing a wicket, inside 29 overs. Bovey (5th) take on Cullompton (3rd) at home this Saturday.

A similar story in the B Division, with all local sides toppled away from home. Stoke Gabriel going down by four wickets at Clyst St. George, who readily chased down 200 to win in 34 overs.

A paucity of runs continues to inhibit both Ipplepen and Abbotskerswell’s progress and these two currently prop-up the table. Ipplepen evaporated at 94 all out in pursuit of just 140 to win at Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! Abbotskerswell, likewise, stopped short at 100 all out chasing a stiffer target of 237 at Ivybridge.

All three return to base for week nine. Ipplepen (9th) host Braunton (6th), Stoke (8th) play Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! (7th) and Abbots (10th) welcome Clyst St. George (3rd).

South Devon sides fared much better in C Division West. Brixham continued their rejuvenated season with an eight-wicket win over South Devon. Three wickets for both Mohammed Shaikh and Michael Barron helped hold South Devon to 199-8 at North Boundary Road.

A target Brixham brushed aside inside 28 overs thanks to Richard Ward’s commanding 132 not out (including 24 fours), for the loss of two.

Teignmouth and Shaldon climb to third place after a proficient four-wicket win at yet-to-win Plymstock 2nds. Ruben Minnaar bagged 3-30 in Plymstock’s 149 all out. Seamus McKenna top-scored with 49 as the visitors won comfortably enough, for the loss of six wickets, in the 27th over.

Ipplepen 2nds beat Paignton 2nds by six wickets. Steve Bowden procured 4-48 in Paignton’s 158 all out. Ipplepen were safely home inside 27 overs.

Week nine sees Brixham (5th) at Queen’s Park against Paignton 2nds (8th). South Devon (6th) host Kingsbridge (7th). Teignmouth and Shaldon (3rd) face leaders Cornwood 2nds at Hazeldown Oval and Ashburton (2nd) take on Ipplepen 2nds (4th).

Better news for Babbacombe, in D Division West, ahead of Friday evening’s Brockman Cup Final. An eleven-run win over Torquay and KK 2nds at Walls Hill lifts them off the bottom. They go to Plymouth CS and Roborough (6th) on Saturday after defending their Brockman triumph of 2024, against the same opponents Ipplepen 2nds. The match starts at 6pm at Torquay’s Recreation Ground.