By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
JACK Hatton and Leon Horn both hit half-centuries as Bridestowe raced to a seven-wicket win at Ashburton.
Ashburton skipper Ashley Berry, who top scored for his side with 42, must have suspected that a total of 196 all out was a little on the low side.
Bridestowe underlined the point by knocking off the runs with more than 10 overs to spare and move up to third in the table.
Lloyd White was the only one of Ashburton’s top four to miss out as Jake Pascoe (38), Berry and Dan Coles (40) took the running total up to 153 for three when the latter departed in the 33rd over.
Dan Fogerty (4-33) and Tom Pengelly (4-33) got into the middle and lower order as wickets tumbled. The last four went for just six runs added.
Bridestowe opener James Ewen was in and out for 12, which brought Horn out to join Hatton with the score on 14 for one.
Subsequent wickets fell at 135 (Leon Horn 70) and 188 (Brandon Horn 25). Hatton batted through for an unbeaten 53.
After the game losing skipper Berry said: “It was closely contested until the rain came, but ultimately we didn't get enough with the bat after laying good foundations.
“Lessons learned and we go again at home to Paignton."
SOUTH Devon banished memories of their disappointing defeat by Stoke Gabriel with a six-run win away to Hatherleigh 2nd XI.
Hatherleigh 1st XI were not allowed to play in round six due to a player testing positive for Coronavirus, but there was no restriction on their second team.
South Devon skipper James Allen won the toss and went on to top score with 52 in his side’s total of 224 for eight.
After a wobbly start – South Devon were 49 for three after 16 overs having struggled against the spin of Eddie Jones – Allen and the rest of the middle order got on with it.
Stands of 86 between Allen and Matt Beasant (37) and 69 by Paul Hooper (34) and Richie Beaumont (36) earned South Devon maximum batting points.
South Devon had not seen the last of Jones, who had a point to prove having been dropped from the 1st XI.
Jones, who went in at first wicket down, hit 81 and was involved in stands adding up to 114 with Ruben Forrester (27) and Andy Bennett (36).
Dave Knowles chipped away at Hatherleigh’s middle order and finished with three for 37.
Allen’s two for 37 included Jones, who was sixth out on 194 with 16 balls to go.
An asking rate of nine an over in the final 10 proved just a few too many for Hatherleigh, who were 218 for nine when time ran out.
Winning skipper Allen said the game appeared closer than it actually was.
“We were always on top defending our total,” said Allen. “Our bowlers bowled well and our fielding was fantastic.”
He added: “I was happy with the way we started and shaped our innings. Now we look to bounce on from this win.”
STOKE Gabriel did not hang about knocking-off 168 to win against visiting Cornwood 2nd XI.
Skipper Ben Griffiths (33) and John Whitfield (29) put on 61 for Cornwood’s sixth wicket in an all-out total of 167. Had Stoke bowled a bit straighter – they flung down 25 wides – they would have not been chasing so many.
Stoke opener Michael Meech – a Brixham rugby player in the winter months – has not been afraid to play his shots this season… as Cornwood found out.
Meech cracked eight fours and three sixes while making his way to 75 not out in 67 balls as the Cornwood total was knocked off inside 26 overs.
An 84-run stand with Jack Tolley (36) and an additional 64 with Andy Kingdon (27) but the game beyond Cornwood.
TEIGNMOUTH & Shaldon came unstuck by six wickets away to Plymouth 2nd XI.
The Riversiders made 187 for nine in 45 overs thanks to lots of bits and pieces and substantial scores from Seamus McKenna (26), Seb Linnett (44) and Todd Ballman (28).
Plymouth’s bowling honours were shared by Dave Burke (3-17), Tom Hughes (3-53) and Fahad Ali (3-33).
Openers James Toms (59) and Jon Kerridge (31) put on 60 to point Plymouth in the right direction. Ollie Parsons and Toms added a further 50 before the latter fell to Ross Abraham (2-46).
Parsons batted through for an unbeaten 66 off 74 balls and his stand with Rob Bennett (17) wiped another 53 off the target and rendered the outcome a formality.
PAIGNTON 2ndXI batted Brixham out of the game on their way to a 159-run win at Queen’s Park.
Joel Ashworth top scored for Paignton with 84 in a sizeable total of 251 for eight.
Among the chip-ins was a stand of 50 for the sixth wicket with skipper Tom Blundell (12). Sam Woodcock was on 37 not out at the end.
Matt Parsons (3-32) shaded the bowling honours for Brixham.
After Paignton seamer Sean Kirk knocked over both Brixham openers cheaply, it was always going to be a struggle for the visitors.
Bits and pieces from Abdul Muzammil (24) and Lee Upham (29) were well shy of what Brixham needed.
Woodcock (3-26) finished off what Kirk (2-20) and Steve George (2-14) had started as Brixham’s innings tailed off to 92 all out.
