Devon Cricket Board - Bradinch relying on favours to finish in top two

Bradinch relying on favours to finish in top two

BRADNINCH appear to be out of the promotion reckoning for this season after sliding to a three-wicket defeat at Barton.
With four games of the season to play Bradninch were top of the table by six points from Plympton with Paignton a further point behind.
Bradninch have not won a game since, allowing Paignton and Plympton to go past them into the top two.
Paignton are definitely up while Plympton only need three points off Chudleigh this Saturday to be sure of joining them.
Bradninch have to win big against Budleigh and hope that Plympton lose badly to have any chance themselves.
Tim Piper, the Bradninch captain, hasn’t abandoned all hope yet, although he admits it will be a tall order to go up now.
“Our batting has really failed to fire in the last few games,” said Piper.
“As a team we haven't trained well enough, or often enough to deserve a promotion spot.
“I can't look past that as an explanation for our downfall towards the end of the season.
“Injuries haven't helped, but in most cases there isn't an excuse to not train.
“With only ourselves to blame, it's a hard pill to swallow.
“If we had been competing in the Premier this year, some scores would have just been embarrassing.
“We've lacked consistency when we needed it the most.
“It is mathematically still possible, but only if Plympton have a nightmare against Chudleigh.
“Paignton and Plympton are the two teams that deserve promotion this year. We'll try and do what we can to steal it from them though.”
Bradninch were bowled out for 109 in the 41st over at Barton – Devon Eskstrall and Adam Parker taking three wickets each.
Skipper Tim Piper top scored for Bradninch with 21 with the next best Dan Hardy’s 18.
Bradninch went from 84 for three to 109 all out as their lower order crumbled.
Barton haven’t had a great run themselves recently and found themselves 61 for seven in reply having struggled against Ross Acton (2-19) and Paul Nott (2-30).
Enter former Devon keeper-batsman Andy Hele at number eight, whose 37 not out off 32 balls took Barton to victory.
Hele and Tom Porter (13no) put on 53 to take the game away from Bradninch. An expensive over from Jack Horton – 23 when the wides were added in – did no harm.

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