Paignton’s title challenge halted by a tough defeat to Exmouth

Cooler conditions all round for week 12 of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League. Unfortunately, they also temporarily took the heat out of Paignton’s Premier Division championship challenge.

Paignton won the toss and fielded on a Queen’s Park wicket offering something for the bowlers after early morning rain. It certainly wasn’t easy for Exmouth against a disciplined Paignton attack.

Recovering from 29-2 to post 166 all out, with Dan Pyle (64) top-scoring. Three more wickets for Ayabulela Gqamane (3-23) to take his league count to 38. Luke Medlock’s 3-24 reminding us of his all-rounder capabilities.

On a day for the bowlers, Paignton never totally picked up from being 24-4. With dangermen Luke Medlock and Gqamane both out cheaply, it was left to captain Harry Ward to salvage the run-chase, which he gallantly did but ran out of partners as wickets continued to fall.

Ward stranded on 62 not out when the end finally came at 141 all out. Frustratingly with thirteen overs still left to bowl.

Despite this third loss, Paignton remain second but Bradninch and Kentisbeare are very strong and extended their lead to 18 points, with six to play, following another clinical win by eight wickets over Sandford.

Paignton visit Sandford (7th) in week 13. Bradninch are at Cornwood (3rd).

In the A Division, Torquay and Kingskerswell were without influential captain Harry Passenger for the visit of Bovey Tracey. Bovey themselves missing leading run-scorer Slade van Staden.

Invited to bat, Jake Pascoe steadied the Bovey ship with a mature 84 as wickets fell around him, enabling a final total of 196 all out. Harry Baxendale (4-24) and Bobby Western (3-46) with the best bowling returns.

After losing Tim Western with the score on 32, Josh Thompson and Nathan Roux rattled things along, both timing the ball well with an impressive strike-rate. Thompson was always going to give chances, however, and was caught for 41 off Will Christophers. Then Chris Kelmere was LBW next ball.

With Bobby Western and Baxendale falling cheaply, captain for the day Roux had to stay in and dominate the strike, which he did. Overs were never a problem, and it was fitting Roux struck the winning boundary allowing him to deservedly reach his century, ending 102 not out. Christophers taking 5-26. The two-wicket win sees Torquay and KK more comfortable in seventh, as Bovey remain fourth.

Barton’s plight deepened with a three-wicket loss travel at Kilmington. Most batters got a start in their 204-9. Barton fought well in defence but could not stop the home side reaching their target with 14 balls to spare.

Barton are 29 points adrift of Plympton at the bottom. The two meet at Cricketfield Road on Saturday when rejuvenated Torquay and KK travel to title favourites Tavistock (1st). Bovey are at home to Thorverton (2nd).

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In the B Division, Stoke Gabriel were 155 all out at Ivybridge chasing 214 to win. Joe Parker hit 87 in Ipplepen’s 259-7 at home to Budleigh Salterton. A game decided on the last ball. With the scores level, George Tapley could not deny opener Luke Domaschenz the winning single that left him unbeaten on 115. Budleigh are now top after a rare defeat for Plymstock.

Ipplepen remain ninth, 20 points ahead of bottom club Abbotskerswell, who had to endure the long journey home from Braunton after a ninth, four-wicket, defeat of the campaign. Braunton successfully reaching their target of 227 inside 38 overs, despite Max Yates taking 4-44.

This week sees Stoke Gabriel (6th) home to Braunton (7th), Ipplepen at Plymstock (2nd) and Abbots home to Bovey Tracey 2nds (8th).

Teignmouth and Shaldon stay third in C Division West after a trip to Brixham resulted in a comfortable six-wicket win in 24 overs. Only the prolific Mohammed Shaikh notched double figures for Brixham.

He scored the vast majority of the runs on his own, 78 not out in the team’s 117 all out. Wickets spread amongst the six bowlers.

Teigns are looking strong in third place, seven points behind leaders Cornwood 2nds, who readily beat Paignton 2nds by eight wickets. But, only one team can go up from this division.

Chudleigh’s 258-7 proved too many for South Devon at Marsh Road. The home side slumping to 116 all out, with Yogi Yogesh taking 4-10. Ashburton won at Kingsbridge by four wickets.

On Saturday, Teignmouth and Shaldon are home to South Devon (7th). Paignton 2nds (9th) play Kingsbridge (4th) at Queen’s Park. Ipplepen 2nds (6th) are home to Brixham (5th) and it’s Ashburton (2nd) hosting Plymstock 2nds.

In D Division West, Babbacombe are fifteen points adrift at the bottom after a 40-run home defeat to Yelverton. This despite the run-chase starting well and another 82 from skipper Rob Redding. They go next to Ivybridge 2nds (5th).