Devon Cricket Board - Keeper takes six wickets from first bowling spell

Keeper takes six wickets from first bowling spell

D DIVISION WEST

KINGSKERSWELL maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a four-wicket win in a gripping encounter at Lewdown.

Victory put Kerswell top of the table at Lewdown’s expense. The icing on the cake for Villagers’ skipper Nigel Butt was learning that third-placed Torquay lost to Plymouth and are now 13 points astern and down to fourth.

Lewdown stuttered to 25 for two off the first 10 overs before an impressive 100-run partnership between Mark Martyn (66 not out) and Nick Hayden (63) put them in control. However the partnership only really got going after a heavy downpour which soaked the ground, making bowling and fielding with a wet greasy ball almost impossible.

The match was reduced to 38 overs a side, although it still looked likely Lewdown would pass 200 until the spin bowling partnership of Chris Hurrell (5-42), and dad Richard (2 29) combined to to leave Lewdown 191 for nine innings closed.

Kerswell were always positive in response with openers Erik Gregersen (22) and Mike Etherington (39) putting on 70 for the first wicket.

At 128 for two and only needing to score at four an over, Kerswell looked well in control.

The quick loss of four wickets, including Chris Hurrell (33) reduced Kerswell to 156 for six and needing 36 off the last nine overs with new batsmen Butt, and Richard Hurrell at the crease.

However some magnificent hitting in the by now very dark and gloomy conditions, by Richard Hurrell (28no) saw Kerswell home with almost two overs to spare.

Ashburton are joint second with Lewdown following a seven-wicket romp against Dartington & Totnes.

Dartington had a miserable time at the crease. Had a couple more followed Joe Hockings’ (26) example then the story would have been so different.

Andy Harvey (4-24) ripped out the upper order while Robin Lambert (1-27) kept things tight at the other end.

Some injudicious shots were played against Dom Durman (3-10) who showed who was in control. Jerry Crouch (2-20) also nipped out a couple of late order batsmen as D&T were all out for 90.

Ashes’ makeshift openers Jason Van De Wetering (15) and Russ Lacey (22) did not look totally at home at the start, but later played some impressive shots.

The injection of Liam Bligh (3-21) to the attack caused Ashes reply to wobble momentarily. Lacey was first to go but by then the job was almost half done at 41 for one.

Robin Lambert (14no) and Martin Parkes (8no) finished the job with only three wickets down and 33 overs to spare.

Torquay went down by seven wickets at Plymouth as they lacked the bowling firepower to defend a total of 164 for nine.

Steve Craig top scored for Torquay on 39. Roy Barnes (67) led the Plymouth reply.

Torquay have a great chance to bounce back this Saturday when second-placed Lewdown pay a visit.

Cockington racked up a hefty 321 for four against Whitchurch with Simon Evans making 97 Jarman 79 and Jamie Chamberlain 60 not out.

Jarman and Evans put on 160 for the second wicket.

Will Barriball was well on his way to a century as Whitchurch reached 156 for four in reply.

Jarman turned to his 16-year-old son Ian, who promptly took six for 22 as Whitchurch were bowled out for 199.

“Ian usually keeps wicket but I thought it was worth giving him a try,” said skipper Jarman.

“It was the first time he had bowled in the league for us, but I suspect it won’t be the last.”

Elsewhere, Chagford chased down 122 to win away to Plympton 3rd XI and got them with five wickets intact.

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