Title race heats up in Devon Cricket League

The penultimate Saturday of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League decided several title, promotion and relegation issues.

But this Saturday’s final day will still bring many last-minute dramas.

Bradninch and Kentisbeare will be crowned Premier Division champions, for the second successive season, if they secure more than five points at home to Exeter.

A commanding Gary Chappell inspired eight-wicket win in the ‘title decider’ at Exmouth means only Paignton can stop them.

Inspirational skipper Chappell took 4-23 in Exmouth’s 130 all out. Then guided his side home with 63 not out for the loss of two wickets to establish a sixteen-point lead going into the final day.

Paignton beat Cornwood by 83 runs at Oak Park. Recalled Neil Hancock reminded everyone of his class with a top score of 73 in Paignton’s 242 all out.

Ayabulela Gqamane’s wickets have been indispensable in Paignton’s success this season and his 4-43 hampered Cornwood’s run chase which terminated at 159 all out in the 35 th over. Gqamane now has 54 league wickets.

Bettering Exmouth’s result (they visit East Devon rivals Sidmouth) will see Paignton in the runners-up spot barring any disaster at Bradninch.

Paignton finish the season at home to Plymouth (sixth). In the A Division, Bovey Tracey’s faint hopes of finishing third were ended with a 31-run home loss to Plympton.

Despite the win, Plympton will be joining Barton in the B Division next season. Torquay and Kingskerswell continued their frustrating inconsistency with a five-wicket defeat at Thorverton.

Nathan Roux said his goodbyes with a top-score of 40 in Torquay and KK’s 161 all out. Thorverton have had a strong summer and only required 28 overs for the win that guarantees them at least a third-place finish. Torquay and KK (eighth) still require one point to be mathematically safe.

Barton endured another poor afternoon in a tough season. Cullompton bowled them out for 91 at Cricketfield Road with Akshay Bharadwaj taking 8-24. Brendon Parr’s side were victorious in the 22 nd over for the loss of four wickets.

Rock bottom Barton say goodbye to the A at Tavistock on Saturday. A win for Tavi will see them promoted alongside Hatherleigh, who are at The Rec to play Torquay and KK.

Hatherleigh lead the division by fifteen points going into the final game following a 163-run win over their season-long title rivals. An unlikely Barton win at The Ring will however open the door for Thorverton if they win well at Kilmington.

Bovey Tracey (fifth) end their season at Cullompton (fourth).

It is looking perilous for Ipplepen in the B Division following a four-wicket home defeat to Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! A paucity of runs has been Ipplepen’s bugbear all summer. They again failed to post 200+ with 169 all out. Which was passed by the visitors in the 36 th over for the loss of six wickets.

Ipplepen travel north for a loser-goes-down final day clash with Braunton, who are six points ahead in eighth.

Already relegated Abbotskerswell completed their home programme with a fourteenth loss, by six wickets against Ivybridge, who will be promoted with Budleigh Salterton if they beat Plymstock on Saturday.

Abbots conclude an unhappy campaign at Clyst St. George (fourth). Stoke Gabriel notched a vital 45-run home win over Clyst St. George meaning they can enjoy a final day trip to Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! free from any relegation worries.

Ashburton need at least ten points to clinch the C Division West championship, and sole promotion place, after beating nearest rivals Cornwood 2nds by six wickets. Jack Warren took 4-43 as Cornwood regretted their decision to bat first when only making 142 all out.

The total was passed by Ashburton for the loss of four wickets in the 27 th over. Steve Edmonds’ 63 saw him overtake Brixham’s Mohammed Shaikh to become the division’s top run scorer.

Paignton 2nds beat Ipplepen 2nds by four wickets at Queen’s Park, but Chudleigh’s 40-run win over Kingsbridge means Paignton will drop to the D Division with Plymstock 2nds.

Teignmouth and Shaldon will finish in a very respectable third place following an undemanding eight-wicket win at home over Plymstock 2nds. Morgan Couch showed his all-rounder prowess taking 4-29 in Plymstock’s 105 all out before scoring 48 of the required target.

South Devon leapfrogged Brixham into fourth place with a six-wicket win at Marsh Road. Leading wicket taker Jack Allen bagged 4-45 as Brixham never recovered from 59-7, struggling to 129 all out. A

llen (56 not out) was in great all-round form as he struck the majority of the runs to see South Devon home in the 29 th over for the loss of four wickets.

The final day sees Brixham face neighbours Paignton 2nds at North Boundary Road as Kingsbridge host South Devon. Teignmouth and Shaldon go to Cornwood 2nds and Ashburton should be celebrating the title at Ipplepen 2nds.

Babbacombe are relegated from D Division West following a seven-wicket loss at Torquay and KK 2nds. They will be joined by either Kenn, or the loser of Barton 2nds v Yelverton Bohemians.

Babbacombe meanwhile are playing for pride at home to Plymouth CS & Roborough.