NEW Bradninch skipper Gary Chappell said the four-wicket defeat by Torquay in the final of the Servicemaster Devon T20 Cup should not detract from his side’s achievements getting there.
In a gripping final at Sidmouth on Sunday, Chris Metters top scored with 55, Chappell made 27 and Eliot Acton 21 in Bradninch’s total of 143 all out.
Torquay looked down and almost out at 48 for three in reply – and 71 for six with eight overs to go was hardly an improvement.
Andy Buzza had run-out two Torquay batsmen and there had been two wickets for Ross Acton to add to three in the semi-final win over Plymouth.
The game was won and lost by a remarkable innings of 82 not out by Joe Thompson, who clubbed Torquay to victory with three balls to spare.
Chappell, who has replaced Tim Piper as captain at Kensham Park confessed it was a hard defeat to take having been in a winning position.
The plus side for Chappell how his A Division side got to the final in the first place.
“To get to the final we defeated three Premier sides – Sidmouth, Exmouth and Plymouth – which is encouraging for us if we get promoted at the end of this season,” said Chappell.
“We were probably 20 runs short when we batted, but what beat us was a very special innings by Joe Thompson.
“Until the last seven overs we had the on the back foot and were winning all the way.”
Thompson’s knock – four fours, six sixes – may have won it for Torquay, but Chappell felt there were other factors too.
“Metz and myself got us off to a decent start, but we lost our way in the middle overs against Nick Watkin and the spinner Matt Beasant,” said Chappell.
“Eliot Acton (21 off 13 balls) batted well at the end to get us over 140.”
Thompson was named the man of the match by adjudicator Conrad Sutcliffe – a no-quibble decision as far as both camps were concerned.
On another day the award could easily have gone to Bradninch all-rounder Ross Acton.
“Ross was outstanding in the semi-final with three wickets,, three catches and three run-outs,” said Chappell. “He effectively won us the game against Plymouth and gave us a shot against Torquay.
“Ross was magnificent in both games.”
SEMI-FINALS
Plymouth 100 (B Stein 32, H Gardiner 18; R Acton 3-21, E Acton 3-23), Bradninch 102-2 (G Chappell 62no, D Hardy 22). Bradninch 102-2 (G Chappell 62, D Hardy 22). Bradninch bt Plymouth by 8 wkts.
North Devon 102-4 (D Bowser 48, E Yeo 20; M Petherbridge 3-25), Torquay 106-2 (G Allen 47, M Pugh 27). Torquay bt North Devon by 8 wkts.
FINAL
Bradninch 143 (C Metters 55, G Chappell 27, E Acton 21; M Pugh 3-21, M Beasant 2-12, N Watkin 2-17), Torquay 144-6 (J Thompson 82no, N Watkin 21). Torquay bt Bradninch by 4 wkts.
