Devon Cricket Board - A Division: Shobrooke turn corner

A DIVISION

PLYMPTON’S acting captain David Wrench was happy to come away with a draw from the trip to A Division leaders Exeter after the second-innings run chase went wrong.

Chris Webb (70), Mike Wilkinson (69) and Aiden Norwood (56no) were all among the runs as Exeter made 249 for five in 50 overs.

Wilkinson and Webb hoisted 154 for the first wicket and Exeter always had the momentum after that.

Somerset’s Lewis Gregory, who destroyed Plymstock seven days earlier with a six-wicket haul, didn’t get anyone out in seven tidy overs.

Jamie Pfeiffer and Aamer Hayat with two each had Plympton’s best figures.

Plympton found it hard against the turning ball after Gregory (65) and Jeremy Williams (45) were dismissed.

Adam Gribble (4-56) and Callum Still (3-30) had Plympton nine wickets down with a couple of over to go, but last pair Matt Gregory and Craig Donohue patted back for the draw at 168.

Wrench said Exeter were clearly a quality side destined to feature in the promotion race and against that sort of opposition he could live with a draw.

“Credit were it’s due, Exeter batted fantastically well against Lewis and Aamer and we had to field brilliantly to keep them under 250,” said Wrench.

“When we batted we lost a couple of early wickets and that affected out confidence and momentum.

“Lewis and Jeremy fought back really well, but we needed a bit more application in one or two places and that was what let us down.”

CORNWOOD edged the derby date with Plymstock by three wickets in a game that swung backwards and forwards from start to finish.

The Corns are now up to second in the table after knocking of 232 to win with a couple of overs to spare.

At 191 for six with Ali Craig (40), Mohammad Salman (47) and and Jason Hall (34) all back in the hutch, the game was in the balance.

Adam Goodliffe calmed fraying Cornwood nerves with an assured 26 most in boundaries which got the target down to one to win with three overs to go

Relieved skipper Craig Harris was the not out batsman on 24 when the target was passed.

Earlier, Harris had won the toss and stuck Plymstock in, then wondered if it was the right decision after they hared in the first 10 overs.

Matt Reynolds mad 89, Ollie Mulberry 37 despite playing with an ankle injury sustained playing rugby on Friday night and there stand of 76 swept the visitors to 195 for four.

Harris feared his side would be chasing 300-plus at one stage, but Elliott Staddon (1-33 off 10) and Adam Goodliffe (1-41 off 11) slowed Plymstock before Reynolds got out.

“We did let ourselves down in the start of their innings but the way we pulled it back and then chased the score with everyone contributing, was nothing but professional,” said Harris.

“Our batting was another assertive effort, with contributions all of the way through the card. Ryan Rickard, Ali Craig and Sal set the tone up front.

“Despite putting us second in the table we know there are going to be more challenges coming, so we will go back, train well and take each week as it comes

“It is the sort of division where results can go either way, nothing is certain.”

Plymstock captain Dave Orchard was disappointed with a third defeat in four starts, but not downhearted.

“We have played Exeter (top), Plympton (4^th) and now Cornwood (2^nd) and as starts go it doesn’t get much harder than that,” said Orchard.

“Cornwood are a good side and have been consistently one of the challengers in this division for a few seasons.

“Another 20 runs and we wouldn’t have lost. We were not outplayed and the improvement needed to turn this game into a positive result is achievable if we work at our game.”

SHOBROOKE Park captain Chris Ford thinks a corner has been turned in the A Division after his previously winless side defeated Braunton by 16 runs.

Manny Parmakellis dominated both pages of the scorebook by striking a century in Shobrooke’s total of 259 for five, then taking four for 53 as Braunton were bowled out for 243 with a couple of overs to go.

Ford was generous in his plaudits for the Aussie all-rJAMEounder, but stressed it wasn’t a one-man show.

“Of course Manny deserves his accolades as he played brilliantly, but he wasn’t the only one,” said Ford.

“Justin Dollow (3-58) had Braunton’s batters in all sorts of difficulty and several said they didn’t have a clue how to play him.

“Pete Steer got his second successive half century, and that shouldn’t go un-noticed as it is all part of a gradual improvement in the team.

“This time last year we would have lost this game. Instead we played them off the park.

“We have had some tough games to start with – all against top-four sides – and now we have won a game don’t be surprised if we start winning a few more.”

Braunton’s reply was anchored by Jas Kalsi (51) and Ian Roberts (30) with a stand of 81.

Dom Bratcher (37) and Andy Paddison (37) made further inroad, but scoreboard pressure started to build as they slipped behind the clock.

Nine an over from the last 15 proved too tall an order for Braunton, who were all out with 10 balls to go.

Shobrooke entertain Paignton this Saturday

THE only way is up now for South Devon after they hit the bottom of the A Division after losing by five wickets to promotion chasers Brixham

South Devon had Pakistani new boy Hammed Ul Hassan making his debut and he didn’t disappoint with the bat, notching a solid 53.

Henry Burningham made 26 in his first game back after injury and here was 45 for Tom Carter as South Devon reached a promising 129 for three.

Then the Brixham bowling got on top and only Will Littlechild made much headway as Matt Stringfellow (5-46) slowed South Devon to 186 for nine.

Brixham had the first 60 knocked off inside ten overs – Mark Newman (40) and Mark Orchard (40) among the runs – and it was an uphill struggle for South Devon after that.

Ul-Hassan did take three for 39, but knocks of 30 from Stringfellow (30) and Craig Eaves (31no) saw Brixham safely home.

“On that deck we should have made 200-220 and we definitely didn’t have enough runs,” said South Devon skipper Adrian Hewings.

“We need to start making things happen instead of waiting for a breakthough.

“On the positive side, Hammed had a very good debut.”

South Devon won’t find it much easier this Saturday as they are away to Braunton.

Brixham go to early pacesetters Exeter, well aware a thorough examination awaits them.

“It is going to be a big test which we welcome,” said Brixham skipper Mark Orchard.

“Everyone always knew Exeter would be the stand-out team and they are showing it.”

PAIGNTON will want to show their win over Abbotskerswell was no flash in the pan when they visit Shobrooke Park.

Paignton hadn’t looked like winning a game before last Saturday, but found their form in a big way to trounce Abbots by 161 runs.

Seb Benton opened up and batted 46 overs to make 152. The well-organised left-hander put on 146 with Conor Bryan (46) and 102 with Brady Barends (54) as Paignton amassed 282 for four.

Benton hit 18 fours and seven sixes during his 157-ball stay.

Abbots bowlers didn’t have much in the way of success. Rob Shergold had three for 67 against his old club.

Abbots were all out for 121 in reply as South African Barends (4-32) and George Benton (3-25) ran through them.

Phil Allen made 26 and Chris Kelmere Junior 26 against his former club, but only Mike Pugh (21) made much headway apart from them.

For skipper Andy Kingdon it was a win to savour as it has been a while since Paignton beat anyone in a league game.

“You have to go back to July 3, 2010 when Paignton defeated Plympton by 13 runs for their last league win – and 29 matches ago!

Kingdon hopes the winning habit becomes a bit more regular from now on.

“A few harsh words were said after our defeat at Cornwood the previous week and they seem to have sunk in,” said Kingdon.

“I said we needed to be 50 per cent better all-round and we were more than that.

“Seb was in a class of his own. He batted superbly and punished the bad ball.

“Brady was due some wickets after only taking one so far this season and George Benton bowled superbly. He has come on massively since last season not just in pace but in accuracy.

“Now we have won once I want to see us build on it against Shobrooke.”

Abbotskerswell will want to get back to winning ways when Plymstock visit Two Mile Oak.