Torquay and Kingskerswell cricketers victorious in South Devon derby

When the 2025 fixtures were released, both Barton and Torquay and Kingskerswell would not have wanted their A Division face-off on Saturday, July 12 to be a relegation clash at the bottom of the table.

But that’s exactly what is was after unsatisfactory and inconsistent form in the first half of the season for both teams and a general dearth of big totals and run-laden innings from top-order batters.

The afternoon at Cricketfield Road commenced with an impeccably observed silence and mark of respect, from both teams and officials, for former Devon Cricket League player, later Chairman, David Gambie who recently passed away. Steve Lewis had earlier won the toss and invited Torquay and KK to bat.

Already warm under a cloudless mid-summer azure sky, the heat was notched up from the off as the visitors lost opener Tim Western on the second ball, clean bowled by Sreejith Sankaranaryanan.

He was swiftly followed by Nathan Roux, caught and bowled by Matt Lipton, at the start of the third over. Both batters failing to score.

The visitors were 55-3 when Harry Passenger and Chris Kelmere came together in the ninth over. Calmly demonstrating how to rebuild after early wickets, they rotated the strike well, nudging plenty of singles and despatching bad balls to the boundaries. It was exactly what Torquay and KK needed and Barton didn’t on a hot afternoon with a rapid outfield.

The impressive partnership of 143 runs ended in the 42nd over when Kelmere was stumped off the bowling of Stu Bowker for 64. An innings drawing on all his experience and guile, which included 6 fours and 3 sixes.

With the score on 198-4 and Barton looking unsurprisingly weary, Passenger decided it was time to go up another gear. Deservedly reaching three figures, for the first time in Devon league cricket, before a final assault on the sun-soaked bowlers to make sure of a sizeable target.

Aaron Hearn’s boundary, off the last ball, saw the innings conclude on 279-5. Passenger unbeaten on 139. A highly commendable, chanceless captain’s knock in 183 minutes, from 153 balls with 14 fours and 5 sixes.

Read more on Harry Passenger

To pull off a much-needed win, Barton had to have a big score from their overseas signing Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, and others staying in to support him. Nick Watkin (31) did just that with the two putting on an encouraging 92 for the second wicket after Fin Last had meekly surrendered in the second over to Beau Rider.

Kamunhukamwe gave chances as he drove well and put bad balls to bed, passing his half century in good time. But on 65, from 49 balls, he went for one big hit too many over deep mid-wicket off Chris Kelmere. The ball hung in the air comfortably inside the boundary rope. Noah Carswell positioned himself well and, looking into the sun, took an extremely good catch, much to the batter’s frustrated disbelief and annoyance.

As anticipated, this was the turning point and Barton were never in the hunt afterwards. Losing wickets at regular intervals until Harry Baxendale bowled Sankaranaryanan for 4 in the 43rd over and Barton were all done at 180.

Read more about the Devon cricket season

The game finished amicably with handshakes and pleasantries between the frazzled competitors.

Torquay and KK securing the maximum twenty points to Barton’s five for the 99-run win, which moves them to eighth. The player of the match undoubtedly Passenger for his palatial maiden league century which ultimately was the difference between the two sides.

Going into week twelve (of eighteen) Barton have a mountain to climb to stay in the A Division. How far up Torquay and KK finish will depend on their top order getting back in the runs and consistently so.

It’s anyone’s guess as to when they will meet again in the league and which division that will be in.

The heady days of Premier Division clashes are long gone for now. But many watching remember them well and believe these proud Torquay-based clubs will one day return to former glories and meet at the highest level. Despite the sometimes-bitter rivalry and old school scores, maybe both secretly wish each other well for that very reason.