By OLLIE SMITH
PAIGNTON’S ECB National Cup journey ended at Bridgwater where they were dumped out in the second round by a seven-wicket margin.
An opening stand of 50 between Brenton Pedley (41) and caretaker captain Luke Medlock that occupied the first eight overs was an encouraging start for Paignton.
Neil Hancock (28) and Aya Gqamana (33) kept the runs coming as Paignton got to 139 for four with 16 overs to go.
Once Gqamana was fifth out only Charlie Ward (22) made much headway as Paignton slowed from 171 for five 200 all out in the last of their 40 overs.
Bridgwater raced to victory with a massive cushion of more than 16 overs unused.
James Regan (72) and Cameron Harding (48), both of whom went through Somerset’s player pathway programme, got Bridgwater off to an 85-run start before the tenth over was done.
The Ecklands – Alex (17) and Joe (40) – took Bridgwater most of the rest the way. The brothers are National Counties regulars for Dorset. Joe is a former England under-19 batter; Alex appeared for Somerset 2nd XI last season. Both are great-nephews of former Somerset and England spin bowler Vic Marks.
Medlock, leading the side in the absence of skipper Harry Ward, agreed Bridgwater’s front-end was not typical of what you encounter on a Saturday afternoon in the DCL Premier Division.
Bridgwater’s firepower clearly contributed to the margin and manner of Paignton’s defeat, but Medlock said it wasn’t the only factor.
“Bridgwater are a very good side, but we did not score enough runs on a very flat pitch with small boundaries,” said Medlock.
