By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE AT THE RECREATION GROUND
WHAT a finish! Bovey Tracey 3rdXI defeated Lustleigh by five runs in a Brockman Cup final that was in doubt right down to the last ball of the match.
Bovey Tracey made 123 for five in the Friday night final at Torquay Recreation Ground with Sam Harvey (32) and Harry Pitman (25) the main run-getters.
Lustleigh got down to the last over bowled by Pitman needing nine to win with four wickets in hand and Duncan Manners-Chapman on 45 not out.
Three runs came from the first five deliveries – and the wicket of Steve Wright had fallen – which left the classic scenario of six to win from the last ball of the game.
Pitman bowled straight and full, Manners-Chapman came out swinging and the mess made of his stumps confirmed Bovey Tracey as winners of the Valeport-sponsored competition for the first time.
Charles Quartley, chairman of Valeport, had no hesitation naming under-17 rising star Pitman as his man of the match. When the pressure was on in the final over, Pitman delivered a cup-winning performance.
Lustleigh, who went into the final as defending cup holders, are good at T20 cricket and their expertise showed in the way they limited Bovey to 123 for five.
Shaun Wright (1-145) and Manners-Chapman (2-22) offered very little to hit during their four-over allocations.
Bovey scored 39 runs from their final four overs – Mike and Jon Wright suffering – with Pitman and Ryan Jones charging along.
Lustleigh were 57 for three at the halfway stage of their reply with Liam Wakefield (18) having just joined Jon Wright (22) back in the pavilion.
The game swung backwards and forwards after that with Manners-Chapman (46) and Chris Mason keeping the score ticking over.
Harry Mount may have tilted the game in Bovey’s favour slightly by going for just one run in over 17 and dismissing Mike Wright too.
Lustleigh just could not find the ‘big’ over they needed to make the chase comfortable and ultimately it cost them.
