Paignton and Heathcoat 2006 Champions
Paignton Cricket Club again hosted finals day and as last year treated players, officials and spectators royally. The morning game was between Braunton, the North representatives, and the host club representing the South. They had beaten Plymouth and Braunton had completed a fine ten wicket win over Exeter. Due to a clash with a West of England trial day Braunton were two key players short but they still put on a strong performance against the side that represented the West at the National Finals at Oakford School. For only the second time this season Paignton batted first and scored 194-4 in their thirty overs. Openers Will Mattawman (27) and Richard Ashworth (35) put on 93 and George Benton (27), Chris Kelmere and Lewis Plackett all chipped in. Spinner Richard Bullard took 2-37 off his five overs. The Braunton centurion for the semi-final, captain Dominic Bracnor, was an early casualty as the North Devon side were bowled out for 115 with Bracner, Harrison Briggs, Joe Eanam and top scorer Linford Brock reaching double figures and extras added 42. The victors shared the bowling around with Connor Bryan and Benton taking two wickets apiece but the best figures were from Tom Gubbin who took 3-5.
The 2006 Bob Bridges Under 13 Champions are pictured below.
It was also rather one sided in the under 15 final with the Devon Portman champions winning by 93 runs. On winning the toss the Heathcoat captain, Will Denford, batted but missed out when he was bowled by Rob Shergold for four. The County under 16 stalwarts Shane Evenden and Sam Smith put on what must have been one of the biggest partnerships in the competitions history - 184. Evenden reached his hundred first and then was caught by Josh Fitton for 103. Smith then made it a personal two in two, as he had taken Ivybridge for a hundred in the semi-final the day before. He was then trapped in front by Plackett for 102. Justin Williams and Peter Randleson took their side past the 300 putting on 40 finishing on 304 -3. The Paignton batters all got started but were never up with the clock as the East Devon side gave nine of their bowlers a chance to shine. Aaron Hearn was caught by Denford off Crouch one short of what would have been a well deserved 50. Joe Davis also batted well for his 39. Crouch ended up with figures of 2-13 as the home side finished their 36 overs on 211-7. The weather had been kind to a large crowd and the catering and all arrangements from Paignton C.C. outstanding.The two finalist are pictured below.
