A Division - Williams takes chance + Barton go top

JACK Williams took his chance with both hands in Lewdown’s rain-ruined game against Plympton.

When opener Dave Ball failed to arrive on time, Lewdown skipper Harry Geering needed someone to fill in.

Williams, who usually bats at seven or eight, found himself promoted up the order and the results were impressive.

“Jack got 95 and would have had a hundred had he not slogged one straight up in the air,” said Geering.

“The way we were going we were looking at 300-plus with 12 overs to go, then it rained and that was the end of that.”

Williams and Gary Sizmur (32) put on 102 for the first wicket with Marco Marais (76) adding 123 for the second with Williams a rain-stopped play total of 225 for three.

Josh Mailing had one for 25 off six while Ryan Skinner took a bit of stick, taking one for 61 from eight overs.

BARTON have a top-of-the-table clash with Budleigh at Cricketfield Road on the agenda this Saturday.

Budleigh were top of the table until last Saturday when they were rained off against Hatherleigh.

Barton took top spot for themselves by beating Brixham.

Barton were all out for 252 in the 49th of their 50 overs – Shaun Needham clouting 10 fours and six on his way to 90 off 97 balls.

Chris Penner made 46 a little more sedately – he faced 78 balls and only hit four boundaries – during a stand of 145 for the first wicket.

Five wickets went for 28 runs once Paul Heath (3-40) broke the partnership, but Damon Calland (22) and Tom Porter (16) chipped and ran at the end to help the total along.

Brixham spinner Gary Spencer took three for 48 against his former club.

Brixham ran into early issues against Andy McVeigh (2-23) and Denovan Ekstraal (2-22) and when Tim Robinson was dismissed by Stuart Bowker for a top score of 38 Brixham were 91 for four and into eight-an-over territory to win.

Mark Orchard (36) and Jake Gregory (32) used up time keeping out Calland, whose four for 28 helped send Brixham to 170 all out.

“The boys did fantastically well to come away from a hard place and get a result with the full 20 points plus the bonus,” said skipper Adam Parker, who didn’t play due to injury.

Once again Shaun Needham and Chris Penner got us off to a great start, which we managed to build on, then the bowlers did their jobs in restricting runs and taking wickets later in their innings.

“Budliegh are next and for sure will be the toughest test of the season so far. We will play our game and concentrate on doing the basics and sticking to the game plan.”

Abbotskerswell beat Bradnnich by two wickets chasing a reduced target due to rain breaks.

Abbots were not chasing a huge target in the first place as Bradninch were bowled out for 95 in the 36th over – Joe Webb top scoring on 27.

Giann Botha and Paul Nott chipped in with a brace of 19s for Bradninch, who struggled up top against Aussie seamer Jake Dearaugo (5-10) and lower down against Matt Beasant (3-26).

Knocking off the runs was anything but a stroll for Abbots, who were 62 for five in the 13th over after a duffing up from left-armer Ross Acton (5-26). Toby Codd made 24 up to that point.

A skipper’s knock of 31 from Richard Acton – no relation to the Bradninch family of the same name – got Abbots within three runs of victory.

Nott (2-33) picked off a couple of tail-enders.

CHUDLEIGH travel to Abbotskerswell on Saturday still looking for their first league win of the season.

The Kate Brook side didn’t get far against Paignton last time out as the game was rained off after 39 overs.

Paignton made 189 for three before the heavens opened for the final time.

Zubyar Hamza, Paignton’s in-form South African batsman, top scored with 56 and put on `101 for the first wicket with Ollie Higgs.

Rob Clarke claimed Hamza and next man in Dan Wolf for a duck.

Olliie Higgs and Connor Bryan both made 48 before the early finish.

Clarke (2-30) was the pick of the six bowlers tried by skipper Ed Foreman.

Paignton skipper Bryan felt his side got the thin end of the wedge.

“Overall we were disappointed that the game could not go ahead,” said Bryan.

“ We put ourselves in a commanding position. Zuby and Higgsy batted well and the start and myself and Chris Kelmere were finishing well.

“On a wicket that was clearly wet, slow and low and at 190 with 11 overs to go, we felt we had a great chance of setting a real challenging total for chudleigh.

“On to Lewdown at home now, looking to carry on our good form.”



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