ROSS Acton turned in a devastating spell of bowling in Bradninch’s seven-wicket win over Abbotskerswell at Two Mile Oak.

The left-arm seamer grabbed six wickets for five runs in seven overs – three of them maidens – as Abbots were skittled out for a humiliating 37. Charlie Dowling, Abbots’ Anglo-South African all-rounder, scored 26 of the 37.

Elliott Adams made four, Noah Tobias was three not out and eight batsmen did not muster a run between them!

Five of Acton’s six wickets were given out lbw, which provoked a grumble or two from the home camp.

As far as a career best is concerned, Acton’s bowling figures are up there with the seven for 26 taken against Cornwood in 2013 and his seven for 33 against Sandford (2009).

Craig Penberthy and Tallan Burns took two wickets each in the 13.5 overs it took to bowl out Abbots.

Dowling excited the home team by dismissing Bradninch opener Kian Burns first ball. Two more wickets fell – the last with the scores level – before Leon Horn (13no) took a single of Tobias to win it.

Victory keeps Bradninch in second place behind leaders Cornwood. 

Abbots remain just above the bottom two, but only by a point as Barton moved closer to them with a first league win of the season.

Nick Watkin, the Abbotskerswell captain, said the batsmen in the team need to start living up to their job description.

“It was an awful day, not helped by seemingly every time Ross Acton hitting the pads the finger went-up,” said Watkin.

“Having said that Ross bowled exceptionally well and all credit to him and Bradninch. 

“Everything that can go wrong at the moment is going wrong, “ said Watkin.

“We have lost four crucial tosses in a row, but the long and short of it is we are struggling to score runs.

“And while that continues we will struggle to win cricket games. “

“On the plus side the only way from here is up and next week can't come quickly enough.”