Devon Cricket Board - Bradninch confident they are on promotion path

Bradninch confident they are on promotion path

BRADNINCH stay within eight points of leaders Plympton in the A Division after routing Abbotskerswell by 125 runs.
With Giann Botha smashing an unbeaten 93 and Dan Hardy making 82, Bradninch raced to 293 for six in 50 overs.
Abbots’ opener Charlie Garrett made 57 and Jake Dearaugo 33 in the middle order, but the rest of the batting only contributed two double-figure totals as the visitors were dismissed for 168.
With five games to go Bradninch are seven points ahead of Paignton in third place and 14 up on old rivals Budleigh in fourth.
If Bradninch are to go straight back up this season the games against Paignton (Aug 9) and Budleigh on the final day of the season will be crucial.
Bradninch didn’t look in great shape at 18 for three then 45 for four after an early going over from Dearaugo (5-53).
The back-up bowlers lacked the same penetration though, as Hardy and Botha proved in a stand of 148 compiled in 25 overs.
After Hardy went to Paul Acton, the runs kept coming from Botha and Will Gregg (22) in a stand of 48,
Jack Horton (28) and Botha added 52 unbroken in the final five overs to rub-in Bradninch’s superiority.
Abbots opener Garrett had no one to stay around long – Paul Nott (3-22) made sure of that – and when he went at 91 for five the signs weren’t good.
Dearaugo and Guy Harrison-Roberts (19) put on 43, but when Will Squire (2-39) broke the stand it didn’t take him and Horton (3-44) long to see off the stragglers.
Bradninch are away to Brixham this Saturday. A win there will tee them up nicely for the last lap, which includes Paignton (3rd), Barton (5th) and Budleigh (4th) on the final day.
Skipper Piper is happy with where Bradninch are on the field and in the table.
“We continue to pull out good team performances and are in a good place at the moment, with momentum and confidence,” said Piper.
“Dan Hardy and Gian Botha had the big runs this time, but all our batters look in good form, going into a tough run in to the end of the season.
“It's hard to judge how well we really bowled this weekend, as I would class Abbots as a poor batting side.
“But the job was done well – especially by Paul Nott – and we fielded excellently as a team.
“We have just had three of the ‘easier’ fixtures, which means a tougher run in than most.
“We're looking forward to the challenge though and remain confident we will succeed in our goals.”
Abbotskerswell skipper Richard Acton knows his side is up against it and can’t afford to lose against fellow strugglers Hatherleigh this Saturday.
Acton said Abbots have to take their chances when they come along, which they failed to do against Bradninch.
“Bradninch deserved their win against us, however there were positives to take from the match,” said Acton.
“We had a chance when they were 50 for four, but we didn’t seize the opportunity and Bradninch batted well on a good wicket.
“Jake DeAraugo bowled exceptionally for his five wickets, and just needed a little more support from the other bowlers.
“Despite only scoring 168 it was an improvement to our batting.
“Charlie Garratt batted well but needed more support.
“We can build on that against Hatherleigh, which is a huge game for us and a chance to get our season kick-started again.”

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