Devon Cricket Board - Worrying times for Babbacombe

Worrying times for Babbacombe

E DIVISION

BABBACOMBE captain Paul Bates has issued a wake-up call to the team after a 120-run defeat at Honiton left them one off the bottom of the table.

Batting first, Honiton dismissed for 190, led there by Pete Matravers (45) and Ollie Cave (41).

Babbacombe bowlers Steve Broad and Tim Stapleton did well to keep the run rate down in the first 12 overs.

Bates (6-47) bowled well in tandem with Dave Williams, leaving Marcus Thompson and to mop up the tail.

Then it was 16-year old Alan Thompson who took charge after tea taking six visiting wickets for just 16 runs as Babbacombe were bundled out for 70.

“It was disappointing to follow up last week’s win over Woodbury with such a tame loss,” said Bates.

“If we are to avoid relegation in the second half of the season we must start batting our overs.

“When we have done that we haven't lost and have picked up valuable points.

This Saturday is a huge game as we are taking on Tiverton, the side just above us, in another must-win game.”

Honiton skipper Kev Kelly said: “It was another clinical performance. We could, and indeed perhaps should, have made sure we collected maximum batting points but then young Alan (Thompson) bowled superbly to make sure we won with something to spare.”

Upottery began the day in second place but ended it out of the promotion places after they were humbled by seven wickets by visiting Kentisbeare.

Ollie Rice (51) and Thomas Wyatt (22) were the main scorers for Upottery, who were also boosted by 50 extras in their total of 178 all out.

Andrew Chave claimed 4-37 for the visitors who when lost just three wickets in a successful run chase led there by Chris Gillett, caught behind by Upottery skipper David Woolacott off the bowling of Ollie Rice for 96.

Woolacott said: “We were very poor, but then we were without a frontline bowler after Dan Broom fell ill on the morning of the game.

“We had enough to do a job but collectively failed.”

The East Devon derby at Uplyme and Lyme Regis turned into an excellent afternoon for Ashley Caddy and his side as they ended the recent fine run of Kilmington, beating the visitors by 83 runs.

Steve Batey hit 97 and there were fine supporting knocks from the skipper (34) and mark Batey (34) in a total of 246-5. Skipper Caddy then claimed 4-38 as Kilmington were bowled out for 161.

The compact ground at Culmstock saw 619 runs for the loss of just nine wickets as Tiverton and Bickleigh were beaten by visiting Kenn by seven wickets.

Tim Reed (92), Dane Williams (56), Dan Marshall (29), Dan Frost (26) and John Hall (25) all made contributions as Tiverton and Bickleigh powered their way to 308-6. Stuart Wonnacott continued his fine form with the ball this season, taking 3-61 and Henry Gayden bagged himself a brace for 54 runs.

The Kenn run chase was led by Dave Murfin with a simply majestic unbeaten 156 whilst Dan Goode weighed in with 80 as victory was achieved for the loss of just three wickets.

Richard Pugsley returned the best of the home bowling figures, his single wicket success came at a cost of 75 runs.

Woodbury are now 45 points adrift at the bottom of the table after leaders Filleigh trounced them by nine wickets.

Ryan Bowden (4-30) and John Hickman (3-9) made their way confidently through the home side’s batting line up with only Woodbury skipper James Taylor offering much resistance with 45. Rob Collier then hit an unbeaten 37 to lead Filleigh to a comfortable nine-wicket win.

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