Devon Cricket Board - B Division: South Devon hit the top!

B DIVISION

HENRY Burningham hit a maiden league century as South Devon beat Clyst St George by seven wickets to go top of the shop in the B Division.

It’s a while since South Devon have been top of anything – staying up rather than going up has been more their thing for the past couple of seasons – but relegation from the A Division last term has clearly been the kick up the backside they needed.

Six games into the season the Newtonians have only lost once and now three points clear of Plymstock at the top of the table.

Plymstock visit Marsh Road this Saturday, which will give South Devon the chance to make a statement about their promotion intentions.

“There’s a long way to go but if we are serious about promotion this season we have to beat sides like Plymstock,” said South Devon captain Dave Knowles.

Bottom side Clyst recovered from 60 for six to make 199 all out thanks to a skipper’s knock of 90 from Matt Cook.

George Randall-Johnson (36) and Dom Hazell (20) supported Cook while the damage done by Matt Coult (4-33) and Knowles (2-26) was repaired.

With opener Burningham in no mood to hang about, South Devon had 52 on the board in the first five overs.

A stand of 152 with Tom Carter (39) for the first wicket pointed South Devon towards their inevitable victory.

Skipper Ali Fury was Thorverton’s man of the match as they eased to a three-wicket win at Chagford.

Chagford were all out early for 152 with Fury taking four for 43 and Jacob Crouch three for 23. Billy Searle made 29 and Neil Rowlands 21 not out.

Alan Searle’s eagerly awaited comeback for Chagford ended second ball when he hit a long-hop to cover point.

Chagford dropped Fury second ball and were made to pay as he flayed 56. Will Denford (15), Nick Taverner (13no) and James Maxwell (10no) chipped away at the remaining deficit.

Victory hoisted Thorverton into third spot, nine points behind Plymstock.

“We bowled and fielded well in difficult conditions, then had to win it with the bat,” said Fury.

“It was a bit tense at the end, but young James Maxwell kept calm when he came in and hit the winning runs.”

Bowling wise for Chagford Billy Searle took three for 52 and Duncan Christophers two for 10.

Dartington made it three wins without defeat on their way up the B Division table with a nail-biting one-wicket win at Plymstock.

D&T are clearly benefitting from the improved availability of former Torquay and Barton seamer Ian Bransdon, who took six for 32 as Plymstock were skittled out for 148.

Plymstock captain Dave Orchard, who top scored on 26, will have been disappointed to see is side slum from 86 for two to 110 for seven. Only Josh Hocken (19) resisted long.

Darts were sailing along at 103 for three in reply with Angus Wilson (27), Ryan Stevenson (27) and Bertus Loots (24) all contributing.

Orchard (4-53) and Jack Thomas (3-43) stirred things up and with four wickets falling for 12 runs D&T were in trouble.

Youngster Will Gornall came in at 115 for seven and made 17 not out to see D&T over the line.

South African Tertiu Gouws was Chudleigh’s man of the moment in their four-wicket win over Tavistock in a rain-affected game at Kate Brook,

Tavistock were all out for 160, most of which were scored by Aaron Churchill (41), Ian Grey (38) and Dave Manning (36) on the way to 116 for three.

Leg-spinner Gouws dismissed Manning and Grey on his way to figures of four for 47. Manning is no mug with the bat, but after playing and missing five times in one over against Gouws he looked more than a little perplexed!

Jack Vittles spun along to three for 38 and Jon Martin took two for 25.

Gowus then led the run chase with an unbeaten 110 as Chudleigh knocked off the runs with eight overs in hand.

In a stand of 40 for the fourth wicket with Gouws, Ed Hunt made all of eight.

Mark Solway was in at the end on three not out from 40 balls, having put on 36 unbroken with Gouws to win the match.

“He was going along so well I just let him get on with it,” said Solway.

Axminster skipper Paul Miller was left disappointed at the outcome of his side’s trip to Barnstaple and Pilton that saw them return with a losing draw.

He said: “It was difficult conditions to play in but, we bowled and fielded superbly to restrict them to 174 for nine, which I felt was a very achievable target.

“At 83 for with 70 needed off 15 overs and eight wickets to play with, we really ought to have had the nous to go on and finish the job off.

“With the exception of Gary Larcombe’s contribution the middle order fell away and we were left licking our wounds somewhat.”

The Axminster reply closed on 138-7 with Gary Larcombe top scoring with a splendid 49 and Miller chipping in with 28.

Earlier David Murnane bowled superbly to return figures of 3-49 whilst Alex Wraight picked up two wickets.