SOUTH THREE

SEAMUS McKenna joined the Devon League’s double ton club by lashing one in Shaldon Optimists’ 111-run win over Paignton II at Hazeldown. 

McKenna put away 24 fours and launched 11 sixes on his way to 205 off 134 balls in the Optimists’ total of 305 for four.

Paignton did have chances to get him out, but skipper Tom Blundell was surprisingly charitable in his post-match summing up.

“Seamus was dropped on 10 and twice more before 100 and two times in the hundreds,” said Blundell.

“But credit where credit is due: he batted fantastically.”

Todd Ballman, the Shaldon captain, was not entirely sure Blundell had his facts right.

“I think he was closer to 30 and other than that I am pretty sure he as not dropped again until somewhere around 180.”

McKenna shared a second-wicket stand of 50 with Ballman (22) that was the warm up to the main event: a partnership worth 261 for the third wicket with Adam Dowsing (77).

Faced with scoring at around eight runs an over from the get-go, Paignton were always unlikely to chase and win.

They replied with a respectable 239 for nine, anchored by Stephen George in his new role as opening batsman. George scored 87 off 103 balls and had helped take the score to 176 for six before he was dismissed.

JACK Tolley and Seb Ansley both clattered half-centuries for Stoke Gabriel in a five-wicket win over visiting Ashburton.

The Ashes, yet to win a league game this season, were bowled out for 163 by Mark Edwards (3-29), Mike Meech (3-16) and Jake Robinson (2-23).

Other than opener Lloyd White with 46, no one else reached 20 for Ashburton.

Stoke suffered a few issues early on when Andy Kingdon and Ben Robinson both went cheaply.

Tolley (50) and Ansley (57) put Stoke back on track and after they went Issac Withington (24no) and veteran Neil Robinson (11no) wrapped up a win with more than 14 overs to go.

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