Paignton poised to miss out on a debut title in Devon Cricket League

As the closing month of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League begins, the season’s final outcomes start to become clearer. Paignton’s valiant attempt to win the Premier Division title for the first time since 2005 appears to have finally hit the buffers following a third-straight loss.

Exeter were all out for 201 at The County Ground, with four more wickets for Ayabulela Gqamane, taking his league-leading tally to 45.

Unfortunately, big totals and match-winning run-chases have all but deserted Paignton. Noah Wright top scored with 53 in the insufficient reply of 157 all out. Former Torquay paceman Josh Nott helping undo them with 6-33.

North Devon upset the form book with a shock 112-run win over Bradninch and Kentisbeare at Instow. But Gary Chappell’s side are still firm favourites and lead the division by 16 points from

Exmouth, who won by three wickets at Sandford. Paignton remain third, a further 13 points behind.

Saturday sees them back at Queen’s Park to face North Devon. Bradninch host Plymouth (6th) and Exmouth are home to Cornwood (4th).

Read more about cricket in South Devon

In the A Division, Torquay and Kingskerswell returned to their inconsistent self, losing to Cullompton by 61 runs at The Rec. Wickets were shared amongst all bowlers as the visitors posted 228-8, including 71 not out from inspirational skipper Brendon Parr.

Nathan Roux has been in outstanding form, three centuries in his last three games, but he could only contribute 21 in Torquay and KK’s 167 all out.

Barton had availability issues for the trip to Hatherleigh. Although this presented a chance to give younger players first team experience, it proved a one-sided affair. Hatherleigh amassed 310-9 before bowling Barton out for exactly 100 in the 24th over. Barton are now 41-points adrift with four to play.

Bovey Tracey have to keep winning to have any hope of an immediate return to the Premier Division. Harry Mount (93) and Slade van Staden (63)’s second wicket stand of 141 helped Bovey post 238-5 at home to Kilmington. Seb Ansley (4-40) and Will Christophers (3-35) then led the way in the field to restrict the visitors to 209 all out in reply.

Torquay and KK (7th) are at Kilmington (6th) on Saturday still needing to win to avoid a last-minute relegation scrap. Bovey (4th) are at Tavistock, who still lead the division from Hatherleigh, despite a rare (one-wicket) defeat at Bridestowe and Belstone (8 th ). Bridestowe are Barton’s visitors this weekend.

In the B Division, Stoke Gabriel eventually overcame Abbotskerswell at home by 50 runs. An unbeaten partnership of 121, for the eighth wicket, between Liam Mair (69 not out) and Jake Robinson (57 not out) enabled an honourable total of 286-7, after being 115-6. Mair then returned figures of 4-51 as Abbotskerswell ran out of overs with the reply on 236-9.

Ipplepen secured a vital home win by three wickets over Bovey Tracey 2nds, with five overs remaining. They stay ninth, 32-points ahead of rock bottom Abbotskerswell.

This Saturday, Stoke Gabriel (6th) are at Bovey 2nds (8th), Ipplepen travel to Ivybridge (3rd) and Abbotskerswell host leaders Budleigh Salterton.

It is still tight at the top of C Division West, where only the champions are promoted. Cornwood 2nds lead Ashburton by four points with four to play. Both sides won in Torbay in week fourteen.

Cornwood beat Brixham at North Boundary Road by 91 runs and Ashburton defeated Paignton 2nds at Queen’s Park by 106 runs. Nick Martin scored 106 of their 289-8, which Paignton never got near.

Teignmouth and Shaldon are another 18 points behind in third after an exciting last-ball home win over Kingsbridge. Todd Ballman hit 90 in Teigns’ 235 all out. Kingsbridge required six off the last ball to tie. A boundary was struck, but not the maximum. Teigns edging it by two runs.

South Devon comfortably beat Plymstock 2nds by seven wickets at Marsh Road. Mali Marshall was player-of-the match after his 4-32 in the field and 68 not out.

Saturday sees South Devon (6th) at Cornwood 2nds and Ashburton host Chudleigh (8th). A home win here would certainly help Paignton 2nds (9th), if they can win at relegated Plymstock 2nds.

Teignmouth and Shaldon (3rd) are at Ipplepen 2nds (4th) and Kingsbridge (5th) host Brixham (7th).

Five points now separate Babbacombe and Barton 2nds in the battle for survival in D Division West following Babbacombe’s five wicket win at Cricketfield Road. Four wickets each for Ben Passmore and the evergreen Marcus Tanton as Barton were bowled out for just 75.

Babbacombe were made to work hard for the crucial win with Sreejith Sankaranaryanan claiming 4-23. But the victory eventually came in the 29th over.

Babbacombe face second place Chagford at Walls Hill on Saturday, when Barton 2nds travel to leaders Hatherleigh 2nds. Also in this relegation fight are Yelverton Bohemians who visit Kenn (6th).