Devon Cricket Board - Batters letting us down says Exmouth skipper Baggs

Batters letting us down says Exmouth skipper Baggs

EXMOUTH skipper Richard Baggs (below) has insisted the season is not a write-off, even though hopes of regaining the Premier title won last summer have gone.
Sidmouth are running away with the Premier Division this season after beating Cornwood by 10 wickets in a rain-affected game to go 60 points clear of Plymouth at the top.
Exmouth are a further 10 points behind in fourth following another batting mishap at Bovey Tracey, they were bowled out for 144 and lost by six wickets.
It was the fourth time this season Exmouth have been bowled out below 150 – Exeter (105), Sidmouth (62) and Heathcoat (88) were the others – and Baggs said lack of runs is the problem.
“It’s nothing personal, but our batsmen haven’t been doing their job and that’s why we keep getting bowled out for not enough,” said Baggs.
“Last season when we were winning almost every week we found more ways of winning.
“This year we are finding ways of losing, or if getting ourselves out, which is why we are losing.
“It is fine saying that, but it can’t be used as an excuse. With our batting line-up – the top five have all played Minor Counties or higher - our performances simply aren’t good enough.
“We aren’t going to win the league this season, but we are through to finals day in the Devon T20 and we can win that.
“The finals are in two weeks time and our next couple of league games have to be about building momentum. We can’t expect to turn up on the day and start playing like T20 world beaters.”
Andy Buzza top scored with 32 for Exmouth, but only Baggs (23) and David Lye (28) made significant contributions.
Lye hit four fours in an over from Malcolm Lake (3-48) then got out in the next one.
Ryan Bougourd was easily the pick of the bowlers for Bovey with three for 10.
Bovey got away to a 55-run start thanks to openers Lake and Sam Wyatt-Haines.
Peter Bradley was in and out after four balls, followed by Lake for 63 then Bovey skipper Andy Fairbairn, who was given out lbw to Gary Chappell (2-19).
Bovey were 90 for four when Fairbairn trooped off and another wicket then could have made it interesting.
Instead, Matt Golding (34) and Nathan Roberts (28) won the game with an unbroken stand of 56.
While Exmouth are wondering how they can stop sliding down the table, Bovey are looking at ways of moving up it.
Bovey are sixth now but only 15 points behind Plymouth in second spot.
“Beating Exmouth was a really important result as had we lost we would have been looking at a mid-table finish,” said Fairbairn.
“After the win the lads are talking about finishing second and really going for that. It is nice to have a target to motivate yourselves.
“The bowlers set the win up with a great group performance. Everyone played a part in the attack which is great to see.
“It could have been a tricky total to chase, but Malcolm broke the back of it with a great knock that Goldy and Nath finished off.
“I was really pleased for Nathan to get a not out because I gave him a rocket against Heathcoat when he didn't see a game home with the bat.
“Nathan batted very maturely with Matt Golding to make sure there were no dramas in the chase.”

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