Devon Cricket Board - Lake slams third ton as Bovey beat Plympton

Lake slams third ton as Bovey beat Plympton

MALCOLM Lake slammed his third Premier Division ton of the season to set Bovey Tracey on course for a 127 run win over Plympton.
Lake needs just 12 more runs to go through 500 for the season after tanning the Plympton bowlers for 126.
The former Zimbabwe U19 captain faced 122 balls and hit 18 fours and a six during a 138-minute stay.
Skipper Pete Bradley ticked over for 54 off 61 balls at the other end in an opening stand of 119 with Lake.
Getting Bradley and Jordan Willoughby out - Craig Donohue and James Carr the wicket takers – brought only temporary respite to Plympton.
For fourth-wicket pair Lake and Matt Golding hoisted another 90 in 14 overs as the Bovey total climbed.
Returning paceman Tom Johnson (3-74) got Lake out at 226 and followed up by bowling Andy Fairbairn and Charlie Sheen in the space of four balls.
Golding hadn’t finished toying with the Plympton bowlers though. He found a willing running mate in Lewis Hammett and in eight overs they put on 74.
When the overs ran out, Bovey were 315 for six – Golding on 76 not out from 72 balls.
Chasing 316 to win was always the least likely outcome for a Plympton side without a win all season.
Teenage opener David Ackford dug in for 66 off 113 balls, but there was no meaty support in the top half.
Lake had Josh Mailling caught behind on 14, the Sam Hickenbottom spun out three in a row – Duncan Hefford (20), Dan Robotham (20) and Johnson (6) as Plympton subsided to 90 for four approaching halfway.
Skipper James Carr made 37 and his stand of 85 with Ackford took the total to 175 for out.
When Carr got out to Toby Codd, it all fell apart for Plympton. The collapsed to 188 all out with Ackford finally eighth man out in the 40th over.
Hickenbottom topped the bowling list with three for 27 and there were two wickets each for Ryan Bougourd and Codd.
Skipper Bradley said it was good to get back on track after the loss to Sidmouth – and good to have Lake back from a three-week break at home with the family.
Bradley added there was more to this win than Lake’s contribution and highlighted the role played by Sam Hickinbottom.
“Sam consistently takes wickets in the middle of the innings,” said Bradley.
“Having someone who can turn it both ways, and beat both edges, is a massive bonus.”
Bovey are currently fourth in the table, 27 points behind leaders Torquay.
Bradley has already started looking at how to whittle away that gap before the two sides meet on the penultimate day of the season.
“Not taking anything away from Plympton, but it's all about next week and the rest of the season,” said Bradley.
“We have finished in the top four for the last five season and everyone is determined and motivated to keep the pressure on for the title.”

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