Devon Cricket Board - Hurrell hits maiden century

Hurrell hits maiden century

DIVISION WEST

KINGSKERSWELL maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with an emphatic 185-run win over Dartington & Totnes.

Victory means Kingskerswell have dropped just one point from their first four games and are now 14 points clear at the top of the table.

Put in to bat in difficult conditions Kerswell got off to a flyer with Mike Etherington (53) and Steve Waters (11) putting on 67 for the first wicket in the first 12 overs.

D&T’S Dave Carter was particularly expensive with his first six overs going for 38 runs.

After 20 overs the Kerswell innings was looking in good shape

Although the run rate slowed slightly although it was about to accelerate in the most extraordinary fashion with the arrival of Chris Hurrell.

Hurrell’s first three scoring shots were six, four and six as he rapidly put on 77 with Erik Gregersen (36) then a further 82 with Nathan Weedon (29).

After 38 overs, when rain brought about an early tea, Hurrell had made 72 not out and the Kerswell’s score was 216 for three.

The next eight overs were complete carnage as Carter again took considerable punishment as Hurrell completed a remarkable 107 not out.

“It is unbelievable a man of his talent has had to wait this long for his first league 100,” said skipper Nigel Butt.

“He seems to be reacting fantastically to our great team spirit and this is bringing out the best in him.”

Hurrell’s maiden league ton comprised 14 fours and five sixes and allowed Kerswell to close their innings on 282 for four.

Dartington were unable to cope with the Kerswell bowling attack and rapidly subsided to 97 all out with more than 18 overs to go. Only Liam Bligh (22) appeared to have the technique to cope at all.

Bowling honours were shared between all four Kerswell bowlers although most impressive figures went to Weedon (3-16) and Richard Hurrell who took two for two in four balls.

Ashburton sit second in the division after making light work of Plympton.

Plympton made 186 for nine largely due to a contribution from former Exmouth and Exeter batsman Steve O’Higgins (72).

O’Higgins played some elegant strokes until he was undone by Dom Durman (2-4), the catch being taken by Russ Lacey.

O’Higgins put on 64 with Chris Chapman (26) and 42 with Danny Hawker (20).

Hawker was playing for the first time after his horrendous accident at Kingskerswell last season, when he suffered a double leg fracture while playing cricket there.

Matt Coon (1-33) bowled well to peg Plympton back when the experienced batsmen were at the crease.

It was spinner Chris Yeo (2-36) who provided the early break through and later Lacey (4-26) who destroyed the middle order.

Ashes reply was assure while George Marshall who batted throughout for a fine 57not out.

Kevin Cock (27) put on 79 for the first wicket. The real sparkle came while the indomitable Xander Connabeer blazed away with a quick fire 50. Yeo (15no) saw Ashes across the line at 187-2 with Marshall and 14 overs to go.

Torquay missed the chance to gain ground on the top three when their game against Lewdown ended in a draw.

Terry King took five for 35 and Joe Crooks three for 44 as Lewdown were all out for 190.

Jack Williams made 43, Mark Martyn hit 27 and Ben Williams had 30.

Torquay gave it their best shot, led by Rob Jack and Joe Crooks but finished nine runs short of victory on 192 for eight.

Jack (50) and Crooks (48) put on 105 for the second wicket, which looked to have swung the match.

Lewdown were not helped by losing a bowler when Ben Williams slipped on the damp outfield and had to leave the field with an injury.

It looked like Torquay had it in the bag until Adi Clements (3-45) put the brake on.

Jack Williams (1-2) was brought on and his five overs for two runs put the target out of reach.

Three points behind Torquay in fifth place are Chagford, who dominated a drawn game with Whitchurch.

Matt Bowes made 99 and there were big contributions from Dave Penberthy (43), Chris Filor (31) and Roger Whittingham (35) in Chagford’s 264 for five.

Whitchurch were becalmed on 153 for five when the overs ran out.

Cockington won for the second week running, this time at the expense of Plymouth IV.

Graham Furse was the man of the moment for Cockington. He scored 64 in a total of 155 for nine, then took three wickets for five runs as Plymouth were bowled out for 74.

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