Devon Cricket Board - C Division - South Devon know it's going to get tougher

SOUTH Devon’s season is about to get tougher as the C Division promotion race hots up.

Ten-man Kingsbridge were swept aside by eight wickets in a non-event of a game that barely 30 overs from start to finish.

Victory put South Devon joint top with Ipplepen as their unbeaten start to the season continued.

In-form Shaldon Optimists will be a tougher proposition this Saturday, which leads on to further derby clashes with Dartington & Totnes then fellow frontrunners Ipplepen in two week’s time.

“Shaldon will be a massive game one as they are winning big at the moment,” said South Devon skipper Ali Wright.

“Dartington have some good players and Ipplepen’s record speaks for itself.

“Our aim is promotion and we make no bones about it. But if you want it you have to prove yourself by beating the best and that’s what we want to do.”

Kingsbridge were skittled out for 54 at Marsh Road with James Ellis the only batter in double figures.

Neil Hancock took four wickets for 27 runs and Jonny Martin had three for five.

Kingsbridge lost thier last four wickets without scoring a run on what soon became a grim day all round.

South Devon had the game won before the end of the 10th over – Hancock (16no) smashing Neil Peach (2-30) for six to win it. Dave Knowles top scored on 23.

ALPHINGTON go into thier derby clash with ottery St Mary on the up after dispatching Plymouth CS&R by seven wickets.

Civil were all out for 78 in the 27th over and owed the bulk of thier runs to Ben Wilkinson (21) and tailender James Sharp (20).

Tom Bath (4-20) and Andy Wilson (3-22) softened up the order, leaving Paul James (3-9) to finish them off.

The Shepherd brothers – Anthony (17) and Mike (47) – did what was required to win the game in 15 overs.

Alphington are up to fourth now and skipper Stuart Shaw is looking to climb higher.

“I think we are all playing for one promotion place behind South Devon and we’ve got as good a side as anyone,” said Shaw.

“Having Tom Bath back this season has made us stronger, and Dinesh Raheja will be back against Ottery, which strengthens both departments a bit more.”

OTTERY gave Shaldon a real run for their money before going down by 13 runs in a high-scoring affair.

Seamus McKenna followed his 181 against Kingsbridge seven days earlier with another ton as Shaldon made 263 for eight.

James Fulner (80) and Todd Bullman (46) got Shaldon off to an 84-run start them McKenna really laid into the bowling.

McKenna went from 0-50 in 45 balls and was celebrating a second succesive tons 22 deliveries later.

When was dismissed for 101 off 68 balls, McKenna has smashed 10 fours and seven sixes.

Under the circumstances, Jody Clements (3-35) and Billy Rudolph (2-50) could feel pleased with their efforts.

Ottery had a real go at chasing down the target, inspired by a ton of thier own from skipper Lewis Townsend (103).

Townsend, on put on 93 for the first wicket with Billy Read (41) kept going until he was fifth out at 215 – one of five scalps for Ross Abraham.

Time ran out for Ottey through as they were 250 for nine as stumps.

Said Townsend: “What a fantastic game of cricket for the neutral!

“We didn't bowl well enough early and were a bit sloppy in the field which is unlike us and let them get away a bit.

“When batting we were always up with the rate and put ourselves into a position to win the game.

“I take a lot of responsibility for the result myself, having got that far I should have been able to see us over the line but couldn't quite manage it.

“We need to get both sides of our game firing in the same match. We are either batting or bowling well but not both.”

CLYST Hydon made light work of Chagford as they started to make up lost ground in the C Division.

Hydon have had three games rained off this season, which is more than any other team in the division, and lost two of the three they have played.

A win over Chagford was vital to stop the season becoming a non-event and the players duly delivered a seven-wicket win in a game reduced to 30 overs each due to bad weather.

Chagford reached 64 for three thanks to Divan Marais (32) and Jon Wright (42), then collapsed to 99 all out.

Dhanuja Haturusingha (3-17) did the early damage, leaving Will Thornton (2-9) to wrap things up.

Skipper Ian Sutton (30) and Graham Trude (38no) gave Hydon at 68-run start. Chris Holmes (20no) was the other not-out batsman.

IPPLEPEN go into their meeting with lowly Chagford on the back of a hefty 131-run win over near neighbours Dartington & Totnes.

Tom Dyer stayed cool while wickets were falling early on to make a top score of 82 in Pens’ total of 181 all out. Sam Wakeham chipped in with 30.

Skipper Ryan Stevenson (3-21) shaded the bowling battle with Ben Hartridge (3-27) for D&T.

Darts got into all sorts of trouble against Joe Abbot (4-27) and found themselves nine for three, then 25 for five and 41 for eight, leading to 52 all out. Caleb Gaylard had five for 12. to knock over the stragglers.

Only Bertus Loots (10) reached double figures on a day when, according to Stevenson, ‘our batting let us down’.

Pens’ skipper Keith Wakeham praised his bowlers but admitted the batting needs some work, not that a skipper with five wins in six starts has much to grumble about.

“Our batting hasn't really fired for two weeks, but someone puts their hand up when it matters,” said Wakeham.

“We bowled and fielded superbly. Joey too the first four and and Caleb the last four.

“We aer really enjoying our cricket and want to keep momentum going.”