The cup winners: Ipplepen after their victory over Lustleigh at Torquay Recreation Ground. Back (left to right): Will Castleton, Max Stone, Ben Forsey, Dom Durman, Olly Holroyd, Andrew Maynard, Jeff Heath, Alan Boon; front: Freddie Harvey, Noah Sutton, Harry Lewis, Owen Sutton
By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
ANDY Maynard made an unbeaten half-century as Ipplepen beat Lustleigh by eight wickets in an ‘old-style’ Brockman Cup final.
The competition broke new ground this year by arranging a sponsorship deal with marine engineering experts Valeport, who are the first business backers since the cup was first contested in 1933.
Although sponsorship may be an innovation, the way Ipplepen went about winning Brockman Cup was classical old school.
Ipplepen bowled tidily to limit Lustleigh to 119 for seven – just one bowler went for more than six an over – then followed the one-man-bats-through format to win the game.
Opener Maynard was still there at the start of the 20th and final over from Lustleigh’s Sam Bannister, who had the thankless task of defending a target of seven to win.
Three balls into the over Ben Forsey deposited Bannister over long-on for six to win the game. Maynard was 57 not out at the other end.
Harry Lewis, the Ipplepen captain, admitted to a few nerves on the chase as Lustleigh are an accomplished 20-over side and took on the challenge of defending a modest total with enthusiasm.
“It was old-style 20-over cricket – someone bats through and you win the game,” said Lewis.
“Andy Maynard seemed calm and collected, but there was a bit more to it than that.
“We were 56 for one when we lost Jeff Heath (19) and still had a lot to do.
“I felt far more confident after Will Castleton (18) made a 30-run stand with Andy. Then I thought we had it in our hands.”
Lustleigh made a patient start through openers James Fulner (26) and Matt Pearce (20) then upped the pace when Liam Wakefield hit three sixes on his way to 36 off 25 balls.
Wakefield was one of two Lustleigh batters to chance his arm against Dom Durman’s throw and learn the hard way the odds were against him.
The big overs Lustleigh needed for a big total were largely denied them by Castleton, Lewis and Ollie Holroyd. Three run outs – Bannister was the third – evidence the desperation to up pace.
Lustleigh 119-7 (J Fulner 26, M Pearce 30, L Wakefield 26; B Forsey 2-21), Ipplepen 122-2 (A Maynard 57no, J Heath 19, W Castleton 18). Ipplepen bt Lustleigh by 8 wkts.
LUSTLEIGH’S path to the final was via a 15-run win over Torquay 2nd XI in the morning semi-final on the Recreation Ground.
Lustleigh 117 (C Mason 48, M Wright 14; S Baker 3-10, N Rider 2-20), Torquay II 102-9 (M McCann 32, M Pugh 17, B Western 11; S Bannister 3-19, D Manners-Chapman 2-17, M Partridge 2-21). Lustleigh bt Torquay by 15 runs.
THREE wickets each for Ben Forsey and Noah Sutton paved the way for Ipplepen’s five-wicket win over holders Paignton 3rd XI in their semi-final at Queen’s Park.
Paignton 91 (C McFarland 16; B Forsey 3-16, N Sutton 3-17), Ipplepen 92-5 (J Heath 23; N Sutton 17no; A Farkins (2-18). Ipplepen bt Paignton by 5 wkts.
