Devon Cricket Board - B Division round-up

THORVERTON didn’t hang about in their B Division opener against visiting Barnstaple & Pilton as they had victory wrapped up in 32 overs.
Aussie new boys Dan Beatty collected four wickets for nine runs and there were two more for Jake Crouch as B&P were skittled out for 72.
Rob Holm made 19 and Mark Metters was 13 not out for the shell-shocked visitors, who did well to make 72 after being 25 for six.
Thorverton lost Paul Fielder for nine to the fast but erratic Jack Popham, who contributed substantially to the 32 extras chucked down.
Harry Choules (21no) and skipper Graham White (13no) knocked off the rest.
“We stuck them in, bowled them out and knocked them off,” said White.
“Our opening bowlers set it up nicely for us. Dan isn’t express-train quick, but he swings it and is difficult to play.”
This Saturday afternoon Thoverton go to Axminster, who were four-wicket losers at Shobrooke Park in a low-scoring affair.
Alvin Pollard showed what a good signing he is for Shobrooke with runs and wickets.
Pollard, with Alphington last season, took three for eight as Axminster were limited to 18 for nine.
James Bevan and Nick Prell on his debut had two wickets each.
Johnny Hurford made 42 and Shobrooke gave away 39 extras, which was generous of them!
Pollard then led the run chase with an unbeaten 47. He went in at 41 for two and saw it through with Richard Pyle (20) skipper Phil Anning.
Shobrooke are away to Ivybridge this Saturday.
Chris Simpson and Mike Searkle are available and come straight into the side for Bevan and James Goodman.
“James Bevan is a new-ball bowler but was first chance last week so he has gone into the seconds to open the bowling,” said Anning.

IT looks like being a long season for Stoke Gabriel, whose 133-run defeat by Ivybridge does not bode well.
All-rounder Dave Bolland has retired, so has seamer Nick Sandbrook, and Andy Lockyer can’t bat or bowl due to a shoulder injury requiring surgery.
The size of the task facing new skipper Mark Gilmour was underlined by the second half of the game against Ivybridge.
Ivybridge have a potent batting line-up –ex-South Devon opener Gareth Andrews went in at number eight – so Stoke did well to hold them to 176 for six.
Jeewan deSilva top scored with a patient 60 off 99 balls while Andy Johnson weighed in with 24 in an hour at the crease.
Stoke collapsed to 43 all out under pressure from Jamie Bullock (4-16) and Pete Abraham (5-24). Gilmour made seven. No one else got past six!
Bideford welcome Stoke Gabriel this Saturday with skipper Ford relaxed about the Plymstock setback.
“I am not too concerned about last week,” said Ford.
“I am very satisfied with our bowling, but the batsman need to start getting their heads down.”
Matt Shepard and Martin Stewart can’t play. Batsman Rob Hill and James Corry come in.
Aussie Josh Roach hasn’t arrived yet, but Ford is expecting him for the game against Shobrooke Park next Saturday.

A rare guest appearance from Rhys Davies helped Tavistock wrap up a nine-wicket win over Braunton.
Davies is part of the MCC Young Cricketers squad this season and based in London most of the time, where he is playing for Twickenham.
MCC released Davies to play for Devon against Cornwall at Truro yesterday, so he stopped off on the way down to help his club side.
And a quickfire 78 not out steered Tavistock home with time to spare after Braunton had been bowled out for 131.
Lee John top scored with 47 for Braunton, but only Mark Mitchell (20) was allowed to make a significant contribution apart from him.
Tavvy skipper Shuan Daymond led the bowling effort with four for 21, aided and abetted by Jamie Stephens (3-33) and Lee Baker (2-13).
Davies and Ian Grey (27no) teamed up after the first wicket went down on 17 – Aaron Churchill departing to on Baglow - and knocked off the rest without mishap.
Said Daymond: “We bowled in the right areas and the only thing we could have done better was keep the extras down.
“It was a sticky wicket to bat on and we were a bit worried about making 132, but Rhys and Ian applied themselves really well.”
Things can only get better for Braunton, who have a derby date with Barnstaple & Pilton at Kelsey.
“A big game obviously,” said skipper Ian Roberts
“There were a lot of rusty performances all round last week.
“We lacked partnerships and didn't bowl straight. Room four improvement!”
Missing three from last Saturday are Holme, lenroy John and Simon Murfett. In comes Alec Hodges, Joe Barnes on debut and one to be selected.

PLYMSTOCK exorcised one of their demons from last season with a thrilling victory over Bideford in a low-scoring affair.
A last-over defeat on the final day of the season against Hatherleigh sent Plymstock down into the B Division.
In a real nail-biter of a finish, Bideford lost by one run off the final ball of the match.
Scott Mansfield, standing in for injured captain James Nichols, said: “They needed four off the last over with two wickets in hand and James Ford still there on 50.
“George Barnicott (2-21) had Ford caught second ball at cover, then the number 11 came in and started slashing at everything. We ran him out last ball.”
Mansfield said the game was a real roller-coaster affair from start to finish.
“We were going along well till we lost four wicket in a clump, but thankfully Dave Orchard dug in and helped us to 146 for nine,” said Mansfield.
“Bideford were 55 for five and 74 for seven – Dean Fulco had four of them – but we hadn’t got Ford yet.
“Fordy and Mike Lemmings (22) put on 48 for the eight wicket and that made it an interesting finish.”