Devon Cricket Board - Yau jubilant at Torquay win

Yau jubilant at Torquay win

PREMIER DIVISION
BRANDON Handley made a match-winning 44 as Torquay marked their return to the Premier Division with a four-wicket win over visiting Plymouth.
Last season’s unbeaten A Division champions appeared to have done the hard bit after dismissing Plymouth for 118 – Joe Thompson and Ben Passenger taking three wickets each.
Torquay then slumped to seven for three in response – Sam Stein (3-17) doing all the damage – and were glad of a rescue act from South African Handley and Matt Thompson (18).
Skipper Justin Yau chipped in with 21 at the end to see Torquay to victory.
“It wasn’t a pretty performance, but we got over the line,” said Yau.
“We are still going through the gears, but a great way to start the season off
“Brandon’s 44 was worth double and the way he went after then gave us great impetus for our innings. It was a knock of absolute quality and the first of many contributions from him I am sure.”
Plymouth skipper Callum Whittaker said he was happy to get some game time in after a woeful pre-season. However, there were areas which definitely need improvement.
“What did disappoint me was too many of us got out playing poor cricket shots,” said Whittaker.
“Some of us were playing as if we were still indoors on a bouncy artificial surface.
“On a poor track at this time of the year it is too easy getting out to a half-tracker.”
Bradninch came out of the traps with a three-wicket win at Exmouth, who were always looking down the barrel after being dismissed for 129 by Matt Golding (3-27) and Gary Chappell (3-18).
Bradninch looked in control at 56 for two, were less comfortable at 78 for seven, but with Ross Acton batting through for an unbeaten 60 got there with 17 overs to go.
“We didn’t bat our overs, bowled 32 wides and dropped two catches – that’s no way to win low-scoring games,” said Exmouth skipper Richard Baggs.
Opposite number Chappell was more forthcoming with his post-match analysis.
“Par on that pitch was 160, so I was pleased to get Exmouth out for 130,” said Chappell.
We were crusiing at 56 for two, then Golding was run-out and a few silly shots later we were 78 for seven
“Exmouth didn’t have a fifth bowler and as they were bowling two wides an over on average we didn’t have to take too many risks.”
Nick Gingell was the star turn for Sidmouth in their one-wicket win over former champions North Devon.
Gingell (3-25) slowed North Devon to 160 for nine the came in at 40 for six and made a match-winning 58 not out.
“Gingell’s knock was one of the best I have seen in the Premier Division and how he is batting at eight I do not know,” said North Devon captain Matt Dart.
Elsewhere, skipper Peter Bradley hit 64 to set Bovey Tracey on course for a 62-run win over Sandford.
The game between Budleigh and Heathcoat was called off due to flooding.

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