Devon Cricket Board - Simpson ton settles it for Shobrooke

Simpson ton settles it for Shobrooke

SHOBROOKE Park were involved in a close against Braunton, where they won by one wicket chasing 219 to win.
Mark Mitchell hit a best of 44 for Braunton and shared a 61-run stand for the second wicket for Braunton in their 218 for eight. Chris Needham – the former Torquay opening bowler – marked his debut for the Kelseymen with 40.
There were two wickets each for Chris Simpson, Pete Turner and Ben Trenaman.
Simpson then led the Shobrooke reply with a century, batting through until he was seventh out at 204.
Nick Prell (27) offered support, as did skipper Phil Anning (17), who shared a stand of 85 for the sixth wicket with Simpson.
Jon Higgs and John Barnes kept Braunton in the hunt with four wickets each, but Shobrooke’s last pair of Turner and Andy Steer (12) got them over the line with four balls to spare.
For Anning it was a win over the odds and one that hints at a rise up the table.
“We started with only nine as two got caught in traffic after a bad accident on the North Devon link road,” said Anning.
“The youngsters who came in - James Goodman, Andrew Steer and Mike Searle - brought a lot of energy to the team.
“Once again our bowling and fielding was good, but some catching practice is needed this week at training.
“Chris Simpson then made a fantastic 103, hitting the ball to all areas of the field and everyone else chipping in.
“I think once the rest of us can get going with the bat we are going to put a big score against someone.
“The most pleasing thing was this was without Alvin Pollard who comes back this week against Barnstaple, which shows all of us can do the job.”

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