BRADNINCH are up and running in the Premier Division now after beating Exmouth by 111 runs.
Gary Chappell’s newly promoted side made a hesitant start to life back in the Premier Division after a three-year absence, losing to Torquay and Sidmouth.
Wins at North Devon and at home to Exmouth suggest it hasn’t taken long for Bradninch to find their feet again.
Bradninch totted up 248 for nine in 50 overs – Andy Buzza top scoring with 66 against his former Exmouth team-mates.
Gary Chappell (34) and Rory Thomas (21) gave Bradninch a 44-run start. At 77 for three Tim Piper was joined by Buzza and the pair compiled a stand of 136 before they were parted.
Piper – caught behind for 62 – faced 99 balls and hit seven fours.
Buzza, bowled by George Greenway, dispatched eight fours and a six from the 98 deliveries he faced.
Piper and Buzza went in the space of four balls. With five overs to go Bradninch had wickets in hand and lost most of the in the dash for runs.Will Greig did make 25 off 13 balls.
Greenway profited with four wickets for 37 runs.
Exmouth were all out for 137, no one making more than former Thorverton batsman Dan Pyle (32).
When Exmouth were 57 for two in the 14th over, it looked like the chase was on.
Pyle fell to Matt Foster (2-32) then Chappell (3-18) and Buzza got into the middle order as 57 for three deteriorated to 75 for six.
Exmouth skipper Richard Baggs (10), Greenway (11) and Pollard (25) delayed the inevitable for a while.
Opening bowler Matt Parker (2-16) was brought back to finish things off as Exmouth were bowled out for 137.
Winning skipper Chappell said he asked for multiple contributions before the season started and is pleased to see the players delivering.
“I said we needed guys to step up and take responsibility if we were to succeed, especially given our availability issues this season,” said Chappell.
“Last week against North Devon it was Dan Hardy; this week Buzza and Piper.
“And there was Foster's hundred versus Sidmouth.
“Things are looking good but it's early days and we need to continue working hard and playing in the positive manner we are.
“It was a great win against a good side, made even more better by the fact we were so short.”
Losing skipper Baggs said his side were ‘totally outplayed’ after losing a toss that played into Bradninch’s hands.
“We had to bat second on a drying wicket that turned more as the game went on,” said Baggs. “They had spin and we had mainly seam.
“Piper and Buzza played well, but had a big lbw shout gone our way we would have been chasing 150-175 not 250.
“For us to be bowled out for less than 150 isn't acceptable.
“Sandy Allen’s dismissal - a freak, one-handed, diving catch – summed up our day.
“We also played some poor shots, myself included, and we need to apply ourselves much better from now on.
“It's one defeat, not end of world. There are14 more games and I think whoever wins the Premier will lose three or four.”
Exmouth expect to have all-rounder David Lye and batter Chris Metters back to face Heathcoat on Saturday.
