Torquay & Kingskerswell beat the weather to beat Budleigh Salterton

The Tolchards Devon Cricket League is desperately trying to blossom and show its true colours, but disheartening summer weather is not allowing it to do so.

Saturday again saw nagging rain, heavy in places, decimating the programme of fixtures.

No games started in the Premier Division which means Paignton remain fourth at, what is already, one-third of the way through the season.

Ayabulela Gqamane is currently the league’s leading wicket-taker with fourteen wickets. But we are still waiting the big scores we saw from 2025 top run-scorer Luke Medlock.

Exmouth head the Premier after six rounds, by five points from Exeter. Defending champions Bradninch and Kentisbeare only eighth at this stage. Paignton travel to fifth-placed Plymouth on Saturday.

Teams that showed true patience and a genuine will to get a game on were rewarded where and when conditions allowed. One such place was The Rec in Torquay where a twenty-four overs-a-side game commenced shortly after 3.30pm.

Budleigh Salterton put Torquay and Kingskerswell into bat who resolutely posted a challenging 177-8. Captain Harry Passenger (52) and the returning Chris Kelmere (37) were the top scorers.

The total would have been higher if Kelmere had not been unluckily given out. Caught from a ball which looked significantly above waist height when struck.

Budleigh started positively, with the run-rate looking no problem. But it was always going to be a question of wickets in hand that would have the ultimate say. Budleigh lost them at regular intervals and their reply ended at 131-7. Two wickets apiece for James Tyler, Harry Passenger and Chris Kelmere.

This valuable 46-run win, when other teams did not play, puts Torquay and KK joint second in the A Division, with a trip to Knightshayes to play Heathcoat next. Bovey Tracey are at Ivybridge.

Just one game was possible in the B Division where leaders Seaton had a last ball, one-run, win over Plymstock. Ashburton travel to Seaton this week as Barton head north to Bideford, Littleham and Westward Ho! Stoke Gabriel welcome Clyst St. George.

Two wins were recorded in C Division West, both for local teams. Ipplepen extended their league lead to twenty-two points thanks to a 120-run success at Hatherleigh 2nds.

Inserted, Ipplepen posted 204-4 from the reduced twenty-four overs. Opener Toby Holroyd smashed his way to 98 not out from 68 balls, ably assisted by skipper Sam Wakeham (44), as Ipplepen racked up a stout looking 204-4.

Ipplepen’s six bowlers all contributed, preventing the hosts from gaining momentum. Ultimately dismissing them for just 84 in response. Joe Parker the pick with 3-12 from his five overs.

A drying Queen’s Park allowed another late start and a good second win on-the-trot for Abbotskerswell in a game reduced to twenty-five overs. Neil Hancock struck 85 from 63 balls as Paignton 2nds accumulated 165-5.

Toby Codd (30) and Brayden Notman (70 not out) were the linchpins of the reply. A gripping run chase left Abbots requiring five to win from Andy Singh’s last over. A wide did not help matters for Paignton and young Alfie Harrison hit the winning single, off the penultimate ball, to secure a five-wicket win which lifts Abbots to sixth.

Week seven sees Abbotskerswell at home to Hatherleigh 2nds. Paignton 2nds are at Plymouth 2nds, Brixham travel to Cornwood 2nds and leaders Ipplepen host Chudleigh.

Teignmouth and Shaldon are up to third in C Division East thanks to a commanding 169-run win at the Maer against Exmouth 2nds. Teigns ran up 256-6 from thirty-three overs, including 63 not out from Alastair Cliffe and 48 from opener Ross Jameson.

In reply, Exmouth were all out for 87. Three wickets each for Liam Gardner and Oscar McCallum. Next up is Shobrooke Park at home.

Babbacombe were another club to benefit from waiting for the rain to stop. They widened their E Division West lead to twenty-six points following a seven-wicket win at Stoke Gabriel 2nds.

Stoke were 88 all out with Brian Gomes taking 4-13 for the visitors. Captain Rob Redding was unbeaten on 39 as Babbacombe cautiously replied and won in the twenty-fourth over for the loss of three wickets. They are back at Walls Hill this week for a South Devon derby against Stokeinteignhead.