CULLOMPTON’S new overseas player Jamal Anwar signed in with a debut hundred in the seven-wicket win over Ipplepen.
Cully were hoping to bring back Tafara Mupariwa, who was a successful overseas player for them in 2016. Visa problems left him stuck in Zimbabwe.
Anwar, was recruited through an agent as a replacement and his cricket CV suggested he would be a useful player.
Anwar plays for the Rawalpindi Rams and has made 93 first class and 45 List A appearances. He has represented Pakistan at U19 and U25 level and played for the Peshawar Zalami in this season's Pakistan super League T20 competition.
That pedigree was pretty clear as Anwar stroked 10 fours and six sixes on his way to an unbeaten 112 from 114 balls as Cully chased down 247 to win.
Anwar was joined at 68 for three on the chase by Brendon Parr and the pair knocked off the remaining runs without mishap. Parr finished unbeaten on 78 in a stand of 182.
Having been turned over badly by Plymstock seven days earlier, it was just the comeback Cully skipper Jason Parr had hoped for.
“At 68 for three we weren't in the best position, but Brendon and Jamal played absolutely chanceless knocks.
“It really was a pleasure to watch them bat together. They were fantastic.
“The arrival of the overseas has given us a massive boost and for him to go on and get a hundred on debut was an absolutely dream start.”
Pens got a second wind from 108 for five – Callum Stanley 39 - to reach 247 for nine. Runs came from Benedict Forsey(36), Sam Wakeham (28), Reuben Stanley (24) and Seb Powell (21).
Pick of the bowlers with four for 41 was Jacob Dienes, although Parr felt there is room for improvement elsewhere.
“Our fielding at times was a bit sloppy and we're still bowling to many wides,” said Parr.
THORVERTON closed the gap on joint leaders Ipplepen and Seaton to three points when they won by 42 runs at Chudleigh.
Skipper Andy Pitt (32) got Thors off to a brisk start, but from 53 for one they subsided to 81 for five with David Baldock just out for 24.
Shane Yelverton (36) and Harry Choules (29) hauled things round in a stand of 66 that took Thors towards 181 for nine.
Saqib Hasan (3-15) did most of the damage with the ball for Chudleigh backed up by Will Heather (2-25). Mark Russell (1-22) gave nothing away with the new ball.
Chudleigh were in an almost identical situation at 83 for five in reply with no one making more than Mark Solway (19).
Once Ed Foreman went for 45 at 115 for six, Chudleigh fell away sharply to 139 all out.
There were three wickets each for Pitt and Andy Barton and two for Yelverton.
Pitt said he was always confident after putting 181 on the board.
“We got off to a good start but then had a bit of a wobble where Chudleigh bowled really well for 15 overs or so,” said Pitt.
“Our middle and lower order of Baldock, Yelverton, Harry Choules and Slaviero batted really well and dragged us up to 180 which we thought was over par.
“Bowling wise we gave them too many extras in the first 15 overs, but Jake Choules and Barton really put the squeeze on.
“Once we built the pressure the wickets came. We really do need to tighten up our extras (23) as I think they ended up being second top scorer.”
PLYMSTOCK came up short on the chase at Seaton, where they dipped to a 29-run defeat and conceded defeat for the first time this season.
Matt Hewer top scored with 42 for Seaton in a modest total of 186 for seven. Joe Berry (35) and Ben Morgan (27) chipped in.
Pick of the Plymstock bowling with three for 24 was James Nicholls.
Plymstock were 80 for one in reply – Nicholls (26) and Jason Williams (25) among the runs – then lost six wickets in a hurry and with them the game. Ben Libby and Wes Holmes, recently signed from Sidmouth, took three wickets each.
Nicholls, acting captain for the day in the absence of Teddy Richards, felt it was a game that got away.
“It was a good tough game of cricket just as we expected,” said Nicholls.
“Being honest we should have won but ten overs of madness from 80 for one to 119 for seven cost us
“We bowled really well to keep them to 185 and at 80 for one it should have been plain sailing.
“Our top three all got to 20 and one of us had to stay and see the game home.
“Saying that, Seaton stuck at it really well and bowled very good areas. I fully expect them to be up there at the end of the year.
“We said at the start of the season Seaton away would be one of the toughest games, so no need to worry at all.”
As Plymstock are one of five teams separated by four points at the top of the table, no real damage to prospects occurred.”
Seaton were due a win after two defeats and in a tight division have shot up to second.
“I hope this result has kick-started our season and with players coming back we can push on from here,” said skipper Ben Morgan.
BOVEY Tracey 2nd XI are off the mark and off the bottom of the B Division thanks to an 80-run win at Kilmington.
Openers Derek Perry (79) and Taylor Ingham-Hill (69) put on 153 and when they went Ben Steer (25), Bradley Causey (20) and Chris Yabsley (26) kept the runs coming.
Rob Crabb (2-28) led the bowling parade from Tom Olive (2-49) and Brett Garner (2-53).
Kilmington were soon in trouble at 30 for three then 43 for four as Lee Nichol (3-38) got into the top order.
Bits and pieces from Alex Rockett (25), Crabb (23) and Matt Reed (23) got Kilmington up to 150 for eight.
Spinner Perry (4-12) cleared out the stragglers.
