Devon Cricket Board - E Division - Babbacombe can't put foot wrong

E Division - Babbacombe can't put foot wrong

BABBACOMBE skipper Steve Broad isn’t allowing complacency to set in, even though the Walls Hill men are running away with the E Division.
Kentisbeare were dispatched by 128 runs last time out to put Babbacombe 14 points clear of Whimple going into this Saturday’s match against Bridestowe at Walls Hill.
It might have been a big win, but it could have been bigger.
“It was a very solid, all-round team performance and by far our best effort so far.
“The only negative again three or four dropped catches - some tough but still room for improvement.
“Saying that, some of the hard work and structured training seems to be starting to pay dividends.”
Babbacombe were 14 for two in the third over with Andy Kingdon and Paul Sutherland out.
Tom Ince (30) and Mike Pugh (50) steadied the ship with partnership of 50 before Ince went.
Broad joined Pugh and raced to 50 off 25 balls in a partnership of 111 in 13 overs before Broad ran himself out on 78 off only 38 balls. He hit seven sixes and five fours.
Pugh (56) aided by useful contributions from Marcus Thompson (19), Rob Redding (17) and Tim Goodwin (26no) added up to a total of 250 for nine.
Kentisbeare were 83 for one and going well when the introduction of Paul Bates into the attack changed the game in a hurry.
Kents tumbled to 93 for eight and eventually 122 all out. Bates featured in the first nine dismissals, taking two catches for other bowlers and one for himself on way to match-winning figures of seven for 12.

WHIMPLE’S great start to the E Division campaign continued as they bagged a four-wicket win at Topsham St James.

What made the victory all the sweeter for skipper Ben Silk was that his side banked maximum points without their two regular opening batsmen and two front-line bowlers!

The hosts won the toss, the fifth time Silk has lost the flick of the coin this term, and decided to bat, something that Silk would have done had he had the option.

With the sun beating down the patched up bowling attack of Whimple went to work and bowled the Saints out for 187. Luke Whitton took the individual honours with 4-26. However, the die was cast for a difficult afternoon for the home batsmen thanks to a superb nine over spell from Phil Hope that saw him concede just ten runs!

Jono Burden bagged a brace for Whimple, who were the led to victory by an imperious unbeaten century from Mike Searle. With both openers absent Searle, the regular number three or four bat, was asked to open and did so in real style, finishing 104 not out as Whimple won with six overs to spare.

Silk said: “Given the players who were not on duty this really was an exceptional afternoon’s work. We bowled very well and then Mike (Searle) led us to a deserved and comfortable success.”

Saturday sees Whimple entertain Kentisbeare and they will have one opening bat and one opening seamer back in the ranks. Henry Gordon-Lennox returns to open whilst Jibu Varghese will be present to open the bowling.

Silk says: “With two at home with Saturday’s game followed by a visit from Kilmington before the big one at Babbacombe, this is the time for us to really stamp our authority on the division.

“We have done exceptionally well in making the start we have. We must not let that good work lead to a slip in standards or performance.”

Kilmington were bowled out for 180 at home to a Whitchurch side that had earlier closed on 241-6.

Ralph Stonex top scored with 55 for Kilmington who now sit second bottom of the E Division and host Topsham St James on Saturday.

Yarcombe and Stockland were thumped by a massive 228 runs when they came up against Bridestowe in their latest E Division game.

The visitors plundered a huge 298-6 and then bundled Yarcombe out for 70.

On Saturday Yarcombe, who sit ten points and four places off the foot of the table, travel to Kenn.

With three defeats from five for both sides, victory is vital if either team wants to challenge this season.

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