Devon Cricket Board - Crouch settles issue with last-ball boundary

Crouch settles issue with last-ball boundary

THORVERTON are off the mark at last in the B Division thanks to a tense last-ball win at Braunton,
Graham White’s side had lost five in a row before arriving at Braunton, where they promptly reduced the home side to seven for four. Will Denford (3-25) and Kobi Griggs (2-14) did the damage.
Ian Roberts (57) and Joe Barnes (20) led the fightback as Braunton got to 129 for nine either side of a rain break, which cut the game to 31 overs each.
Thorverton made steady progress through Paul Fielder (30) and Denford (31), assisted by Braunton losing left-arm seamer Jon Baglow with a calf injury.
Thors needed 25 off the last four overs, six off the final over and one to win from the last ball.
Jake Crouch settled the issue by drilling the ball back past the bowler for four.
Thorverton are still rock bottom in the B Division, but have gained ground on Axminster and Braunton immediately above them.
White said the rain break made it an unusual game, adding his men did well to stay focussed on the job in hand.
“Ian Roberts is their best player and had we got him out earlier it may have been easier,” said White.
“They were 70 for six when it rained and Roberts came out afterwards and batted well.
“We were probably chasing a few more than expected, but an exceptional innings from Will Denford won it for us.
“We are not a bad side, just one that has not been playing well. For the first time we bowled to our capability and backed ourselves batting and got the win we needed.”
Thorverton’s new-found form will be tested fully this Saturday when they visit promotion hopefuls Chudleigh.

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