Devon Cricket Board - D Division West round up

D Division West round up

TORQUAY and Kingskerswell are both off to 100 per cent starts in the D Division West 2nd XI promotion race.

   Torquay were second last season and Kerswell third as neither could catch long-time leaders Plymouth Civil Service.

   Having missed out once the two also rans are going all out to ensure they don’t miss out again.

   Leaders Kingskerswell followed up their opening day win over Cockington with an eight-wicket victory over newly promoted Chagford.

   Torquay, a point behind in joint second place with Lewdown, went one better with a nine-wicket triumph in the game against Plympton.

   The Chagford batsman never really got to terms with Kerswell’s opening bowlers, Mickey Noble, and Pieter Douglas.

   Supported by some great fielding and catching, Noble finished with five for 51 all of them top-six batters.

   Chagford reached the relatively comfortable position of 113 for five and with 20 overs left must have been eyeing a score of around 200. However last seasons first team skipper, Chris Hurrell (1-0) and father Richard (3-1) ensured the last five Chagford batsman fell for the addition of just one run between them!

   A Kerswell victory was never in doubt from there with opener Mike Etherington smacking 54 not out with great support from Steve Waters (33) and Erik Gregersen (23 not out). Kerswell completed the rout with more than 30 overs to spare.

   Following the game Kerswell skipper Nigel Butt said: “This was one of the best performances of a Kerswell 2nd XI for several years.

   “We were excellent in all departments and everyone contributed to a fantastic win.”

   Despite the ease of the win, it was by now means plain sailing.

   “At noon we only had nine players, but Pieter Douglas played despite being ill and Roger Burton played with just a couple of hours notice,” said Butt,

  “The club is hugely indebted to both of them as they both played major parts in this win.”

   James Fulner (56) and Rob Jack (50no) both hit half centuries in Torquay’s win over Plympton.

   Earlier, Terry King (2-46) and Anthony Nadar (3-45) had limited Plympton to 156 for eight.

   Lewdown, who face Kerswell this Saturday, defeated Cockington by six wickets.

   Dartington & Totnes were too strong for Plymouth IV, knocking off 199 to win with five wickets in hand.

   Ashbuton had to overcome requests for help from the 1st XI and other calls on their players to get a side out against Whitchurch, but the effort proved worthwhile.

   The Ashes’ batters stacked up a creditable 242 for eight, led by Tony Lacey (74no), Kevin Cock (68), Alan Churchill (27) and Mark Priddle (22).

   Whitchurch made Ashes fight all the way to the penultimate over before being dismissed for 161.

   Andy Harvey (4-28) was the liveliest bowler snapping up four wickets. Dom Durman (3-36) at the other end removed both openers cheaply.

   The real test was how to get out the Whitchurch skipper Bob Powell (57no) as he shielded a succession of partners to try and play out for a draw.

   Powell finally exposed tail ender Ken Freedman (2) to the guile of Ashes’ skipper Alan Churchill, who trapped him lbw.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773