Devon Cricket Board - Premier 2nd XI: Exeter losing ground in title race

Premier 2nd XI: Exeter losing ground in title race

PREMIER 2nd XI

EXETER’S chances of catching Plymouth for the Premier 2nd XI title receded a little further when they could only manage a losing draw against Bovey Tracey.

Plymouth handed out a 118-run hiding to lowly Hatherlegh, to open up a 28-point lead at the top of the table.

With 100 points to play for Exeter could catch up – especially as the two sides meet on August 13 in a double pointer.

Exeter skipper Richard Nelsey admits it will be a tall order though as Plymouth are in the driving seat.

“Even if we beat them they have to lose at least one other game – and we have to keep winning ourselves,” said Nelsey.

“Putting the two together it is going to be tough. If we lose to Plymouth next Saturday I think it will be all over anyway.”

“We could have done with beating Bovey, but were six runs short and that sums up our season. Good, but not quite good enough when it matters.”

Bovey blatted along to 233 for seven with runs through the order from Arren deYoung (40) and Sam Wyatt-Haines (31) – they put on 70 at the start - Phil Arnold (48) and Lewis Hammett (25).

Adam Fradgley (40) and Shaun Langford (33) got Exeter going in the right direction by putting on 85, then Nelsey (34) and Graham White (32) added another 60.

With Marcus Hoddinott making 46, Exeter got down to the final over from de Young needing 14 to win and came up short at 228 for six.

Budleigh Salterton have been sucked right into the relegation mire after going down by six wickets to Cornwood.

Budleigh’s total of 168 all out – Ian Taylor (70) top scoring – always looked below par and so it proved.

Former Devon keeper Duncan Boase (52) and Elliot Staddon (40no) completed a perfunctory run chase with 15 overs to spare.

Budleigh are only three points clear of Paignton in the second drop slot and if they lose to the Queens Park side this Saturday they are in trouble.

North Devon were on the end of some devastating hitting from Nick Gingell in the 2nd XI game against Sidmouth.

Gingell cracked along to 172 off 122 balls with nine sixes and 21 fours – that’s 138 in boundaries – as Sidmouth set North Devon 309 to win at Bicton College.

Stands of 189 with Matt Hewer (52) and 98 with Greg Chaplin (35) appeared to put Sidmouth in the driving seat.

However, Ollie Hunt then lashed a ton in reply for North Devon, who were 271 for eight when their overs ran out with Warren Miller (33) and Matt Dart (55) both chipping in.

Gingell, playing his first game back after a knee operation, had a bowl as well, taking three for 53 in the drawn game.

Hatherleigh did enough in their 118-run defeat by Plymouth to get ahead of Paignton and out of the Premier Division bottom two.

Plymouth raced to 305 for seven in 50 overs with Pasi Mawalagi (93) and Harry Stephenson (87) lashing the bowling to all parts.

Jack Ashmore was out for 99 in Hatherleigh’s total of 187, which helped them to six in the match, two more than Paignton took off Plympton and enough for the sides to trade places.

With cellar dwellers Cornwood beating Budleigh by six wickets the pressure is on at the bottom with just eight points between the Corns (115), Paignton (120), Hatherleigh (121) and Budleigh (123).

Paignton were taken apart by visiting Plympton, who handed out a 142-run hiding.

Hallam Kerton (85) top scored for Plympton while Matt Gregory (34) and Paul Woodward (29) chipped in towards a total of 251 for seven. Terry Farkins took three for 78.

Paignton stumbled to 24 for three, limped to 77 for seven with Farkins making 20 and were all out with 23 overs to go for 109.

Dan Vince (4-28) led the bowling effort, backed up by Kerton (3-39) and Danny Hawker (2-22).

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