EWAN Williams clobbered his maiden century for Bideford in a 93-run win over visiting Ipplepen.
Ollie Hannam got the innings into gear with 64 from 80 balls and his stand of 64 with Jim Keates (24) made up for the early demise of Jack Ancil.
Hannam partnered Williams in adding 66 more for the third wicket before he was caught and bowled by Pens’ West Indian off-spinner Nathan Forde (3-48).
What followed was some brutal treatment of the Ipplepen bowlers as Bideford clattered along to 291 for six.
Williams got to a move on to reach 102 from 62 balls. He had seven fours and nine sixes in the book when Forde finally got him out. Twenty-two runs from Callum Stanley’s eight-ball over inflated his strike rate.
Alex Hannam did not pat much back either while making 65 not out from 30 delivers. Two big overs, when he clouted Reuben Stanley then Andy Bligh for four boundaries helped his strike rate.
Hannam scored three tons on the trot this time last year, one of them against Ipplepen.
The less said about Ipplepen bowlers and economy rates the better, although George Tapley (1-28) and Noah Rider (0-29) were spared the worst of the lash.
Matt Beasant, the Ipplepen skipper, doffed his cap in Williams’ direction
“While I don't think we bowled exceptionally, I absolutely have to applaud Ewan's innings: it was beyond brilliant,” said Beasant.
Ipplepen were all out for 198 in reply as they slid to a second successive defeat and down to seventh in a table of ten.
Marcus Gadie (38) was the only one of the top five to make much progress as Williams and Julian Hayter (3-28) either bogged them down or got them out!
The middle order spared Pens’ blushes by chalking-up some runs at the other end from limpet-like Gadie, who was finally sixth out on 128.
Rider (48) and Tapley (36) showed some stickabilty, as did skipper Beasant with 24 down the order at nine.
Jody Brown and Eliot Curry had two wickets each from five wickets down onwards.
“Batting-wise we showed our depth again, but ultimately disappointed, we're not where we want to be,” said a reflective Beasant.
“Had we taken a couple of chances at the start of their innings it would've been a very different game. In that regard we only have ourselves to blame.”
Williams has been out in the 80s twice before this season and acting captain Alex Hannam said he fully deserved three figures.
“Our batting is starting to click and that's showing in our recent run of results,” said Hannam, who was deputising for Tom Brend.
“Ewan has found some unreal form and we're all buzzing for him to finally turn one of these knocks into a hundred.
“Oliver batted really well at the top of the order and we all know how much he enjoys batting on flat tracks this time of year.
“The top order setting a solid foundation allowed me to swing a few over the pickets towards the end.
“The bowlers were consistent as ever and we were all especially pleased for El Curry, who managed to turn some out the foot holes later on in the day.”
