Devon Cricket Board - Bradninch close on top two

Bradninch close on top two

BRADNINCH moved within eight points of second-placed Budleigh Salterton in a crowded A Division mid-table by beating leaders Paignton.
And if Tim Piper’s side can defeat bottom club Chudleigh this Saturday they have the chance to close the gap on the top two again.
For the top two – Paignton and Budleigh Salterton – are playing each other and only one of them can win.
With only eight points between Budleigh in second and Bradninch in seventh, the positions could change quickly.
Bradninch were put in by visiting Paignton and were all out for 133 in the 40th over.
Early difficulties against Rog Shergold (2-22) and Stephen George (1-21) had Bradninch wobbling at 18 for three, but a stand of 47 between Piper (30) and Dan Hardy (21) got the board ticking over.
Hardy went on 65 to Aaron Hearn, then a switch to spin proved Bradninch’s undoing as wickets started to tumble.
Chris Kelmere (1-24) was miserly at one end and Connor Ashworth (4-8) effective at the other as Bradninch lost their last five wickets for 24 runs.
Paignton, needing 114 to win, got the start they didn’t want as Paul Nott (3-15) and Chris Acton (1-8) reduced them to 16 for four.
Connor Bryan (17) and Shergold (25) started a comeback with a stand of 47 that got the score up to 63.
Once Bryan departed to Chris Acton (2-20) the slide started. Gian Botha (3-9) and Ross Acton (1-8) saw off the bottom half of the order as Paignton slumped from 71 for five to 85 all out.
Piper said conditions were hard for batters, but Paignton made it harder than it needed to be.
“It was a tough deck to bat on and you didn't get much value for shots either with a slow outfield.
“Paignton were a well-drilled team and it looks like they are doing things right at their club.
“Perhaps, they are lacking a bit of experience though?
“Chasing 113 should have been well within their reach, but they seemed to go from first gear to fifth when batting and those extra risks cost them in the end.
“Our bowlers were brilliant and it is so good to see how much our fielding efforts have improved.”
Opposite number Bryan had no issue with anything Piper said.
“We were unhappy with the performance with the bat even on a difficult track to bat on with a slow outfield,” said Bryan.
“The score of 113 was more like 170-180, however we still felt that was gettable in 40 overs.
“Again we lost early wickets which was always going to make the chase hard.
“However we know where we went wrong as a team and we will make sure we do not make the same mistakes again in the future.”

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