Devon Cricket Board - A Division: Another 10-wicket win for Torquay

A DIVISION ROUND-UP

CORNWOOD went some way to putting the trials and tribulations of the last week behind them by dominating a drawn game against Alphington at Oak Park.

Skipper Jason Hall, along with Kevin Willcock and Richard Conn, were hauled before a league discipline panel to answer complaints about their behaviour in a game against Sandford two weeks ago.

Dissent and abusive behaviour charges were levelled against the players while the club was charged with failing to control he conduct of their supporters.

Hall was banned for four games while Willcock and Conn were suspended for three matches each. Additionally, Cornwood were fined £50 and had 10 league points deducted.

Craig Harris, who has taken over as captain while Hall is suspended, said all efforts at the club were focused on getting away from the wrong end of the table.

“What has happened is unfortunate but we need to move forward,” said Harris.

“We are down in the bottom four, which is not where we ought to be at all.

“The best thing we can do is concentrate on playing at our best and moving up the table.

“Clearly we aren’t going to be promoted this season, but we are a better side than fourth-from-bottom and want a final position which is more representative of our ability.”

Matt Butterworth (35) and Ryan Rickard (30) were the Corns leading run getters in a total of 154 for four eight.

Pick of the bowlers for Alphington with four for 39 was spinner Stuart Shaw – and Cornwood hadn’t seen the last of him either.

South African hockey star Ian Haly, home in Exeter between tournaments, made 62 not out to save the game for Alphington.

Mike Wood (4-29), Andy Beess (3-39) and Butterworth (2-27) had Alphington nine wickets down with seven overs to go.

Shaw (7no) shored up one end while Haly kept the other intact as Alphington moved to 125 for nine at the close.

EXETER’S up-and-down form continued as they went down by three wickets at Braunton.

Glenn Lammonby made a patient 50 as Exeter cobbled together 150 for eight in sticky batting conditions at Kelsey.

Lammonby hauled Exeter out of the mire Jon Baglow (5-48) immersed them in with early wickets which saw 21 without loss become 27 for three as Mike Wilkinson, Rob Holman and Miles Lenygon went one after the other.

Callum Still made 20 – his run-out provoked some plain talking towards the officials from the Exeter camp – and Mat (corr) Medway added 20 more.

Knocking off the runs was no cakewalk for Braunton, who chalked off the last of them with two balls left in the game.

There were two wickets each for skipper Jon Tipper and Still. Miserly Adam Gribble sent down 15 overs for figures of one for 19.

Lots of bits and pieces – Jas Kalsi, Stuart Rhodes and Ian Roberts all got into the 20s – did the trick for Braunton. Mark Mitchell was 19 not out at the end.

Tipper had little to say after the match, possibly because he may have some explaining to do to a league discipline panel in the near future of things he has already said.

“We lost the toss and lost the game,” said Tipper. “When we batted it was sticky; when they batted the sun had come out and the conditions eased.

“Our batting wasn’t that great, but take nothing away from Baglow and Stuart Rhodes as they bowled superbly.

“Some of the big umpiring decisions didn’t go our way and I expect I have not heard the last about that.”

TORQUAY won by 10 wickets for the second successive Saturday when they hammered lowly Shobrooke Park.

Jan Bothma took six for 15 as Shobrooke collapsed from 62 for two to 85 all out.

Matt Thompson (46) and Aaron Williams (36) knocked off the runs without mishap, just as they did after Torquay had skittled Cornwood for 85 seven days earlier.

Torquay really are running away with the division now as none of the teams behind them seem capable of winning two games on the trot. They are 51 points clear of second place and 59 in front of third.

Brixham, who were second, dropped down to fourth after losing at home to Abbotskerswell.

Sandford’s win over Barton lifted them into second place, Braunton, who visit Torquay this Saturday.

On Torquay’s latest win – their ninth in ten starts – skipper Justin Yau said it wasn’t quite the formality it seemed.

“We stayed very patient throughout the whole day, even when Shobrooke were 67 for two, and knew if we continued to build pressure, we would reap the rewards,” said Yau.

“The hard work with the ball was done by Ian Baker, Ben Passenger and Nick Watkin, who gave them nothing. Jan was exceptional.

In Matt Thompson and Aaron Williams, we have one of the best opening pairings in the whole of Devon. It is very reassuring when they are so solid and always build a decent platform for us.

“I just hope when push comes to shove that our middle order will be able to perform as they haven’t had much practice!

The next two weeks (Braunton and Brixham)) are key to seeing how we will fare for the rest of the season. We are firing and cannot wait for the next game.”

BRIXHAM fell apart at the seams against Abbotskerswell as they tumbled to a 118-run defeat.

Abbots made 215 for seven – respectable but gettable – with Josh Dowling (63) and Mike Pugh (57) leading the way. Rob Shergold chipped in with 38 not out at the end.

There were two wickets each for Craig Eaves and Mark Gilmour, Had Dowling not been dropped twice before reaching double figures, it may have been a different story.

Brixham captain Mark Orchard probably had a sleepless night after his side collapsed from 70 for four to 97 all out.

George Northcott (24) and Craig Eaves (21) made the only scores of note before Marcus Green (6-24) caused carnage.

WINLESS Barton are rock bottom in the A Division following a seven-wicket defeat at Sandford.

Sean Adderley top scored with 23, but only Jim Parker (13) and Tom Drake (14) reached double figures as Jamie Palmer (4-38) and Gary Binns (4-21) bundled Barton out for 106.

Barton started badly by losing Aussie Tom Briggs to a full-toss and subsided to 36 for five before Adderley and Parker restored some semblance of respectability.

Sandford had 61 overs to get the runs and 28 left when they got them.

Darryn Mortimer (47no) was in at the end having put on 61 with Matt Theedom to set the tone.

Mike Livesley (2-25) was the only Barton bowler to achieve much.

Barton trade places in the bottom two with Alphington, who are also on 62 points but have lost fewer games.