Ipplepen hoist the historic Brockman Cup

The casual observer may assume that twenty-over cricket competitions are a modern invention to fit the attention-grabbing commercial package of white, pink or orange cricket balls, multi-coloured playing kit and the twenty-first century infatuation of immediateness over stretched-out.

But South Devon’s (twenty-over) Brockman Cup is in fact Devon cricket’s oldest cup competition.

Ninety-two years ago no less, Old Manorians defeated Inland Revenue by four wickets to lift the trophy for the first time. A feat they repeated in 1934 when Corinthians were runners-up.

At this moment in time, William Stanhope Brockman owned Torquay’s Rosetor Hotel, once proud occupier of the site upon which the Riviera Centre now stands.

As a dedicated sportsman, Brockman was keen to encourage junior cricket clubs in the area and nurture younger players. To achieve this, he proposed and promoted a shorter format of the game to be played on summer evenings.

It’s testament to our local clubs that Brockman’s vision is still fully embraced and embodied today.

The annual knockout fixtures are played amongst village teams and the second or third XIs of the larger clubs, often with a significant percentage of teenagers and under-25s in the line-ups.

Although history is full of repeat finalists and multiple winners, you had to go back 25 years, when modern-day Brockman specialists Lustleigh defeated Stoke Gabriel, to find the same two teams in the final in consecutive years.

Friday’s renewal at Torquay’s Recreation Ground, the Brockman final’s long-time home, saw Babbacombe looking to emulate Lustleigh in winning back-to-back finals against the same opposition.

On a breezy but muggy evening in front of a healthy crowd, Ipplepen 2nds elected to bat first, both teams fielding that congenial mix of experience and youth. Ipplepen attired in their cup cricket maroon strip, in stark contrast to Babbacombe’s traditional whites.

A vindicated decision for Ipplepen, as openers Toby Holroyd and Hugo Denman laid a substantial foundation. Starting cautiously before going up the gears, exposing Babbacombe’s shortcomings with the ball, they readily reached three figures unbroken by the mid-point.

Holroyd, no stranger to big runs in the competition having already notched a Brockman Cup century in the 2023 semi-final, dominated the partnership with some impressive blows. Ipplepen were 111-1, when he was caught for 74, and well on their way to a big score. Holroyd’s 33-ball knock included eight 4s and five 6s.

The vastly experienced Jeff Heath fell cheaply soon after, but another fruitful partnership of 71 between Denman and young prospect Warrick Green put a 200 total within sight. When Green was caught on the last ball of the innings for 46, they had to settle for a still imposing enough 189-3. Denman, performing the perfect anchor role, remained undefeated on 44.

Losing seasoned opener Marcus Thompson, with just eight runs on board, was not the start Babbacombe wanted. Thompson having played that anchor in last year’s final when son Josh, now at Torquay and Kingskerswell, went on the attack.

Rob Redding (21) and Aidan Lightowlers (32) batted well to keep the board ticking, but disciplined bowling and fielding never let Babbacombe change gear and wickets fell at regular intervals.

The canny Steve Bowden used his experience to claim 3-25 and two important catches. Bradley Aldridge bagged 3-14 from his two overs and there were two wickets for Jack Edworthy. The sixteenth over brought twenty runs and glimmering hope for Babbacombe, but as the light dwindled, and a fine drizzle set in, the writing was on the wall. The pace slowed again and the result inevitable.

A gallant effort from Babbacombe, which concluded at 161-9. No back-to-back triumph. Ipplepen’s 28-run advantage proving more than enough on this occasion.

Ipplepen captain Ash Harvey proudly accepted the trophy and Tim Western, from hosts Torquay and Kingskerswell, awarded the Player of the Match to Toby Holroyd for his pivotal innings.

After which, the good-willed crowd started to disperse content on having witnessed a competitive game well within the origins and intentions of the competition’s ethos.

If he were looking down from the ‘Hotel in the Garden by the Sea’ on Chestnut Avenue, I have no doubt WS Brockman would be smiling with a warm sense of approval and pride.