Devon Cricket Board - C Division round-up - Gaylard takes nine for 12 on debut

IPPLEPEN’S Kiwi new boy Caleb Gaylard made a devastating debut in the 197-run win over Shaldon – taking nine for 12 as the Optimists were skittled out for 44.
Pens have good connections in New Zealand and the 23 year-old left-armer comes with an impressive pedigree.
Having played age-group cricket for Central Districts he featured in the A team last season and made his First Class debut against Canterbury in February.
Having racked up 237 for seven – Sam deFriend top scoring on 75 not out – Pens showed Shaldon no mercy.
“They lost a wicket first ball and that sort of set the tone,” said Pens’ skipper Keith Wakeham.
“Caleb could have had all 10 wickets, but Paul Thomas denied him that with one at the end.
“Caleb bowled the same guy with a no-ball, otherwise he would have had all 10.”
Shaldon have come up the divisions thanks to three successive promotions, but are now at a level where most clubs have a useful overseas player, something they have not run into before.
Pens’ total was anchored by Matt Nicholls (62) and Tom Dyer (27) putting on 70 for the second wicket.
Some big hitting from deFriend – Todd Bulman went for 29 in his final over – helped the score along at the end.
Mark Couch, standing in for work-tied skipper Craig Greenwood, said overseas players aren’t the only new experience for his side this season;
“It was also our first outing with the powerplays, fielding circles, free hits and appointed umpires so a massive learning curve whilst fielding,” said Couch.
He added: “We have had a good pre-season trained hard but missed a couple of pre-season games due to the weather.
We bowled and fielded well but at 102 for five Ipplepen showed their strength in depth by sending in Sam DeFriend who was then joined by Gaylard batting at eight.
“Ipplepen then made good use of the batting power play and accelerated their innings.
“Batting-wise we were under cooked and when you get an overseas bowling a good pace with a lot of swing movement its difficult to get going.
“We will strengthen in a couple of weeks, but we have the same players who have gained us three successive promotions and we will continue to work hard and develop our club without the need of an overseas player or splashing the cash.”
DARTINGTON & Totnes entertain new boys Shaldon in good spirits after trouncing Kingsbridge by six wickets in a low-scoring affair.
Ryan Stevenson (4-12) and Jonno Colgate (3-12) ran through the Kingsbridge batting as the home side collapsed to 73 all out.
Only Clive Clark (22) and James Rosewarne (19) resisted for long.
Stevenson (32no) and Josh Thomas (14no) steered D&T to an opening day win.
Kingsbridge go to Ottery this Saturday.

SOUTH Devon signaled their intentions for the season ahead with a whopping 205-run win over Ottery St Mary.

The Newton Abbot side hadn’t won a game since August 2011 when they beat Thorverton on the penultimate Saturday of the season to win promotion from the B Division.

South Devon have suffered two relegations since then and took positive action to stop the rot by recruiting former Devon captain Neil Hancock during the winter.

Hancock played for Premier side Bovey Tracey last season and also assisted Devon in their one-day games.

And Hancock showed he still has an appetite for runs by clouting 99 on his debut before giving a caught-and-bowled chance to Mickey Wilkinson (2-52).

Hancock and skipper Ali Wright (73) put on 180 for the second wicket after the early demise of David Knowles.

Mike Smith clipped a quick 50 to help South Devon reach 275 for six.

Smith hasn’t played 1st XI cricket for some years and South Devon are delighted to have him back.

Ottery St Mary were all-out for 70 in reply with Rob Crabb (16) the only player in double figures.

Neil Maud picked up three wickets on his South Devon debut after switching from Alphington and there were two each for Knowles, Johnny Martin and Smith as Ottery collapsed.

Alphington away this Saturday will be a sterner test as they showed their mettle by thrashing Chagford.

Maud isn’t available against his former team, which means Wright will look at his bowling options again.

“There will be competition for places and we have the option of bowling Sean Day or Richard Beaumont, who didn’t get a go against Ottery,” said Wright.

On the win over Ottery, Wright added: “A slick, dare I say it, ruthless performance all round, backed by brilliant fielding.”

ALPHINGTON warmed up for their date against early pacesetters South Devon this Saturday by handing out a 129-run defeat to Chagford.

Paul James was in impressive form for the Alphas, stroking an unbeaten 102 in their total of 274 for six.

Along the way the former Essex 2nd XI player share a stand of 109 for the fifth wicket with Javaid Mamhood (32).

There were runs, too, for Andy Shepherd (39) and his brother Mike (32).

Exeter School student Jacob Griffiths picked up three for 33 on his Chagford debut while Del Lammonby (2-76) went the distance.

James completed an all-round show to be proud of with four for 22 as Chagford were bowled out for 143.

Mahmood (2-32) and skipper Stuart Shaw (3-29) kept the pressure on and at 91 for six an early finish loomed.

Duncan Manners-Chapman had 22 and there was 18 for Peter Holland before the overs ran out.

CLYST Hydon didn’t get a game in last Saturday as their match against Plymouth CS&R was called off.
“The rain on Thursday saturated the pitch and there was no time for it to dry out,” said skipper Ian Sutton.

Clyst are away to Ivybridge this Saturday.