TORQUAY let their cricket do the talking on the way to a 136-run win over Barton in the big Bay derby on the Recreation Ground.
There’s seldom any quarter asked or given when these two sides meet – and the verbal exchanges over the years have been both extensive and explicit.
Torquay stayed calm in a hot-house environment to make 291 in the last of their 50 overs with Chris Kelmere and Tom Drake both making half-centuries. They were wobbling at 133 for six before the combined efforts of Tom Drake and Aaron Hearn got the score up to 253 for eight.
Kelmere made exactly 50 in a running total of 90 for three. Drake carved out 59 the hard way and Hearn finished on 45.
Barton’s Aqeel Ahmed (3-41) spun out Drake and Hearn in his second spell.
Barton were all out for 155 in reply with veteran Andy Pugh turned back the clock for a top score of 53.
Support from acting captain Greg Shelton (19) and Ahmed (23) helped Pugh keep going until he was ninth and last out. Barton batted one short as Matt Lipton suffered an injury while bowling.
Spin was king for Torquay with five wickets for left-armer Harry Baxendale (5-40) and three more for Kelmere (3-28).
Kelmere, the Torquay captain, said his team thrived in the melting pot of a hard-fought derby.
Said Kelmere: “The chat from Barton was exactly what we needed as a team to pull us together.”
Kelmere said the top order found it a struggle for runs, but there were mitigating circumstances.
“We got the worst of the deck with the ball doing a lot in the first 10 overs, which showed in the way our innings played out,” said Kelmere.
“Aaron Hearn and Tom Drake dug-in well to put a convincing score on the board.”
Kelmere praised Baxendale for his five-wicket haul, which he achieved over the odds.
“Harry bowled with great control despite nursing a hand injury and the deck flattening out in the second innings.”
Shelton said Barton were up against it before they started due to selection issues which meant playing two 50 year olds and another not far away from the landmark just to get a side out
“Having a few players out, then Matt Lipton going off injured after three overs was not great,” said Shelton.
“Jack Bell bowled really well, as did Justin Saker. Andy Pugh rolled back the years and looked it great touch for his 55. Sadly the damage had already been done and he ran out of partners.”
When Lipton went off an SoS call went out to the 2ndXI to send down a substitute. Lewis Crocker, who had opened the batting against Plympton 2ndXI was hastily dispatched down the road.
