Torquay big winners at awards night

TORQUAY were the big winners at the Tolchards Devon League awards ceremony, walking off with three divisional titles and a player-of-the-year award.

Torquay won the Premier Division title for the first time since 1997 and were champions at 2nd XI and 3rd XI level too.

Justin Yau (right) collected the Premier Division trophy from league chairman Stuart Munday during the presentations at the Exeter Court Hotel near Kennford.

Young left-armer Matt Petherbridge, in his first season with the club, won the Bob Bridges Award for youth player of the year.

Petherbridge marked his breakthrough season in Premier cricket with 33 wickets at 12.03 each.

Only Heathcoat’s Jamie Drew (34) and the late Tom Allin (35) of North Devon took more wickets.

Petherbridge finished the season in Devon’s Minor Counties side.

The 2nd XI under skipper Joe Crooks had a remarkable season, winning the B Division West without losing a game. Coach Tim Western collected the trophy as Crooks was unavailable

They only dropped 21 points all season – and that included 14 in one game that was rained off.

Completing the clean sweep for Torquay were the 3rd XI under John Mather, who finished more than 30 points clear at the top of their table.

Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh and Dartington & Totnes also picked up awards

Twelve months after they were relegated into the B Division, Chudeigh went straight up as champions. Paul Sercombe went along to pick up the trophy.

Bovey Tracey 2nd XI suffered a similar fate in 2014 when they bowed out of the Premier 2nd XI Division.

Skipper Jeremy Christophers (pictured) led Bovey back into the top flight at the first attempt.

Bovey had double cause for celebration as their 3rd XI won the D Division West. Dan Green, who was captain last season, took the trophy home.

Bovey Tracey’s Matt Golding was named the league’s player of the year. He is currently playing in Australia and was unable to collect the award in person.

Dartington & Totnes did the 1st and 2nd XI double, winning the both C Division Wests.

Ottery St Mary chairman John Tierney took home the C Division East champions’ trophy on behalf of unavailable skipper Lewis Townsend.

Ottery will be playing B Division cricket for the first time in 2016.

Countess Wear pipped Kingskerswell & Chelston and Clyst St George to win the D Division West in a thrilling three-way finish. Chairman Mike Fernbank represented the club at the awards ceremony.

Cornwood bounced straight back into the Premier Division at the first attempt after suffering relegation in 2014.

Club chairman Graham Baskerville stood in for unavailable skipper Jason Hall, collecting the champions’ trophy from league chairman Stuart Munday.

Ivybridge missed out again on promotion from the B Division, but picked up two consolation prizes.

Skipper Gareth Andrews was voted captain of the year in the Division by umpires.

Ivybridge also topped the umpires’ pole for club of the year. Both awards were accepted by committeeman John Sparkes.

Kilmimgton’s Tom Gooding took home the D Division East champions trophy.

Honiton sent Andrew Lapping to pick-up the D Division East 2nd XI cup.

The awards were handed out after the competition’s annual meeting in Exeter.


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