TORQUAY spelled out their intentions for the season by inflicting a 119-run defeat on Brixham.
The former Premier Division top dogs – champions in 2015 – were dragged down on a dramatic last day of the 2017 season.
New skipper George Allen wants Torquay’s stay to be as brief as possible and the stall was set out in the manner of the win over Brixham.
Opener Josh Hunt (30) and Allen (79) took the score to 70 for two. Allen and Mitch Pugh (82no) added 135 for the third wicket as Torquay proceeded to 232 for five.
Tom Blundell and Connor Ashworth bowled tidy spells for Brixham, but Lee Upham (4-36) was easily the pick of the bowlers.
Brixham were all out for 119 in reply with Blundell (31) having the best of a modest set of scores.
Paul Heath (18no) was the last man standing for Brixham when Pugh (2-16) wrapped up the innings.
The damage had already been done long before by Franco Kasner (4-14) and Ben Passenger (2-16).
Winning captain Allen said Pugh’s 82 on a testing surface was ‘very special and just showed his class’.
There was praise for Kasner – ‘he turned the ball square’ – and Hunt for an innings that ‘set it up for the middle order’.
And there was a special mention for the Passengers, dad Ben and son Harry, who appeared together in the 1st XI for the first time.
“Harry, at 13 years, three months and 28 days, is the youngest player to appear in a 1st XI league game for Torquay,” said Allen.
“Harry bowled five overs and Ben bowled 10 straight through, putting the pressure on Brixham right from the start.”
FOOTNOTE: Seamus McKenna (14 years, three months seven days) was the previous youngest player to appear for Torquay.
