GARY Chappell joined the Devon League’s exclusive double-ton club when he fired an unbeaten 205 for Bradninch in the 173-run derby win over Sandford.

Chappell isn’t the first batsman to crack a double hundred in the league, but in the competition’s 46-year history there have only been a handful.

Bradninch amassed 364 for four in their 50 overs and Chappell was out there from first ball to last making 205 not out. He finished with a flourish, hitting the last ball of the innings for six to pass 200.

A stand of 174 with Ross Acton (56) got Bradninch motoring – and when Jamie Palmer removed Acton there were still more than 18 overs to go.

Chappell, already on 104, pressed on with Dan Hardy (20) then Andy Buzza, whose 58 off 35 balls contributed to a stand of 103.

Chappell, who rejoined Bradninch from Exmouth during the winter, scored his last 50 runs in the final four overs as the Sandford bowlers were thrashed all round the ground… and out of it!

Chappell faced 166 balls making 205, hitting 24 fours and six sixes. He reached a hundred off 109 balls – then really floored the accelerator! The 150 came 42 balls later and he reached 205 in another 16 balls.

Palmer had the wickets of Acton and Bradninch skipper Tim Piper to soften the blow of going for 76 in 10 overs.

Skipper Ryan Glass bowled 10 overs for 44 runs, which was a good as it got for Sandford on a day when eight or nine an over was commonplace.

Sandford were all out for 191 in reply – Will Squire (3-24) and Cameron Suidgeest (3-43) nabbing three wickets each.

Wickets fell regularly as Sandford toppled to 105 for six and an early finish looked likely.

Freddie Filor (35) and Josh Cann (37) put on 72 for the seventh wicket to make the scoreline a little more respectable.

Once Filor went it was downhill all the way to 191 all out.

Chappell’s batting stats will ensure the game isn’t forgotten in a hurry, but the player himself wanted to share the credit around and included Sandford groundsman Chris Theedom too!

“Obviously I was over the moon with my performance, but Ross Acton and Andy Buzza played excellent innings,” said Chappell.

“And it was the perfect response to our disappointing loss to Paignton last week.

“I have to credit to Sandford for preparing the best pitch I've ever batted on in Devon, which made batting easy and enjoyable.

“But it's only one game and we need to take this kind of performance into future weeks and avoid any slip-ups.”

Bradninch skipper Piper said Chappell’s knock was a master class in batting.

“It was fairly effortless really,” said Piper. “He hardly took a risk.

When Gary got to a 100, a few players suggested maybe he'd just go after every ball.

“There were 20 overs still to go though. He wasn't going to throw his wicket away and he really deserved to get to 200.

“Gary is a very good batsman and I am not surprised one bit that he did it.

“It's another reason it's great to have him back - to watch things like that.”

Piper added: “The game was over really tea.

“However, our bowlers performed well too. Cam, Squizz and Ross were the stand-outs on a tough pitch to bowl on.”

And, taking a swipe at Paignton opposite number Chris Kelmere’s comments after the defeat t Queens Park seven days earlier, Piper said: “The apparent 'self-proclaimed' title favourites are back at the top of the table … for now!”

Losing captain Glass was a man of few words afterwards.

“We dropped Chappell a couple of times, but he did bat exceptionally,” said Glass.

Sandford will be looking to bounce back against Hatherleigh on Saturday. Bradninch are at home to Chudleigh.