Devon Cricket Board - Axminster fall short on chase

Axminster fall short on chase

AXMINSTER just came up short in a valiant bid to claim a Tolchards Devon League B Division success when they went down by six runs at South Devon.
The home side batted first and the Axminster bowlers enjoyed a measure of control with hosts only able to post a score of 180-6 thanks to plundering 37 runs from the final three overs.
Most of those runs came from Mike Smth, who struck four sixes on his way to a quickfire 48 not out.
Earlier, dangerman Neil Hancock made 35 and David Knowles chipped in with 24.
Matt Pyle was given the new ball and bowled superbly without any luck, finishing with figures of 0-25 from his nine overs.
Nick Taylor opened with him and he took two wickets for 16 runs with four maidens in his nine over spell. A
Axminster skipper Paul Miller used spin to good effect with Dave Field, Alex Wraight and Sam Farrow each picking up a wicket, but the eye-catching spell of spin was from Gary Larcombe with one wicket for just six runs from his five overs.
The Axminster run chase got a solid start and, at 70-1, looked on course. Brad Cross opened the reply and scored a fine 48 before falling to a catch.
However, three wickets fell for the addition of just eight more runs, but skipper Miller got things back on track, though he and Gary Larcombe (22no) did get somewhat ‘bogged down’ by some tight home bowling.
Sean Day (3-33) and Jonny Martin (2-25) were particularly miserly in the South Devon attack.
When Miller departed it left Danny Larcombe and his brother to take the fight to South Devon and they chipped away at the ten-an-over run rate to get tit down to needing 10 off the last over from Martin.
Danny was trapped leg before for a super knock of 33 to the fourth ball of that final over and with his demise went the last chance for Axminster.
Miller, who had spoken in the lead up to the season for his desire to see his team competitive in the division, was putting with pride. He said: “That was an excellent effort with first ball, and then bat. We were taking on a good side, but were always in the contest. I do feel that the difference was those last three overC Dis of their turn with the bat, that’s where they got away from us. All in all I cannot be down hearted with this sort of a display, one that augers well for the campaign ahead.”
On Saturday Axminster host an Abbotskerswell side that powered their way to a 112-run win over Thorverton.
Miller says: “I hope we can field the same eleven. The one doubt might be Gary Larcombe who I am aware has said he can only play when work commitments allow. We saw at South Devon just what he brings to the team. We are certainly a stronger proposition with him in the ranks.”

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