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C DIVISION

STOKE Gabriel 2 nd XI made a disappointing start to the season when they were five-wicket losers at home to Yelverton.

   The innings started badly with Adrian Hood removing both of the Stoke openers with just 16 on the board.

   Tim Nand-Lal and Paul Collings pushed the score up to 40 for 2 before Andy Alford removed Nand-Lal. Paul Collings was unfortunate to be run out when he picked out the best Yelverton fielder.

   Chris Pearson came on as Yelverton second change bowler and his one wicket for five runs from 11 overs slowed Stoke even further.

   Tony Carter bowled his usual good line and length to finish with the figures of three for 13 from 10.3 overs.

   Chris Life gave Stoke some hope at the end with a quick 15, but 91 all out was never enough.

   Yelverton started steadily with Andy Taylor and Kevin Beare putting on 29 for the first wicket.

   Mark Jackson (3-37) and youngster Stephen Nand-Lal bowled tidily as Yelverton scored at just two runs an over. Mike Perkin came into the attack and soon made his presence felt by taking two wickets for just 22 runs.

   Yelverton slipped to 68 for five against the fiery Stoke attack with Jackson bowling particularly quickly.

   Captain Beare steadied the Yelverton ship. He scored an invaluable 41 not out and an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 26 with Pearson saw Yelverton home with 21 overs to spare.

 

FORMER Somerset and England batsman Mark Lathwell could not get away in time to join the Braunton 1st XI at Alphington – which is how he came to be playing in a 2 nd XI game at against Ipplepen.

   Lathwell hit an opening day century but that wasn't enough to force victory as Braunton ended just three runs short of the Ipplepen offering of 238 for six.

   Matt Quarterly cracked a superb 92 for the visitors in their total of 238 for six.

   Mark Johnson took three for 17 in 11 overs and Lathwell bagged a pair of wickets.

   The next best Braunton score went to 15-year-old Tom Rowbotham, who struck an excellent 28.

   Keith Wakeham (2-49) had Lathwell stumped shortly after reaching his century. The damage appeared to have been done by then as Braunton got down the last over needing four to win with four wickets in hand.

   Pens' skipper Simon Curling (3-9) bowled the final over and took three wickets in the first five balls without conceding a run.

   The last ball to the last man fizzed over the top of the middle stump, leaving the game drawn.

   “What a great game of cricket,” said Curling. “It was great to play against someone like Mark Lathwell and Braunton played the game in just the right spirit.

   “You couldn't have wished for a much better finish, unless we had won of course. “

 

THERE was a thrilling finish at Whitchurch where, with the final pair at the wicket, Mark Kerswell was bowling to Kingsbridge's Matt Peach.

   With the scores level the batsman hit the ball straight back at the bowler who ‘spilled' the chance to take a return catch.

   The next delivery was launched over the boundary rope by Peach to bring his side victory by a single wicket.

   Simon Bailey-Lewis produced the match-winning, all-round effort for his side, first taking three for 31 as Whitchurch were bowled out for 144, then hitting a top score of 68.

 

AXMINSTER III were involved in a thrilling game with Ivybridge at Cloakham Lawn, which they lost by two wickets.

   Alan Ostler (61) and Pete Hayball (56) were the main run getters in the home side's 187. Despite a four-wicket haul from Ben Fuzzard the South Hams side left with an opening day win.

   Matt Parkes top scored with 55 for Heathcoat as they batted first at Ottery to post a total of 186.

   Teenager Lewis Townsend was the best of the Ottery bowlers with a four-wicket haul, but Ottery struggled with the bat and closed on 130 for eight.

   James Faulkner with an unbeaten 27 top scored for the Otters who were in some trouble at 63 for six until 16-year-olds Alex Clements (22) and Charl Axcel (10) steadied the ship.

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