OLLIE SMITH REPORTING
CHRIS Gillett and Richard Norman etched themselves into Bradninch & Kentisbeare’s history books after their opening stand against Axminster saw them reach exactly 300 from their 40 over innings.
Both batters reached three figures, with Norman going one further and raising his bat for 150 as he eventually finished on 168 not out from just 101 balls. One hundred and 42 of those runs came from boundaries.
Gillett’s innings included no sixes, but there were 23 fours. He faced 139 balls for his 121.
Axminster’s Mike Summers (0-22) came out of the B&K innings with his head held high, as he went for less than three an over, by far the best return from any of the bowlers. He even managed to fit three maidens into the Gillett and Norman show!
Remarkably, Axminster didn’t see themselves as defeated, and attacked the B&K score. Despite losing opener Andrew Guppy (17) at 31, their next wicket fell at 292, needing just nine to win.
The man to go was Benjamin Webb, who had just taken 155 runs from the bowlers, and used just 103 balls to do so. He was supported by captain Owen Enticott, who fell short of his maiden league ton. The man who dismissed him was certainly enjoying his day out, as Richard Norman had found himself in the wickets too.
B&K shared the bowling around; in fact, the only player who didn’t turn their arm over was wicketkeeper Bobby Marsh, as they used 10 bowlers.
Axminster secured the victory with two balls left in the 36th over, earning themselves a rare 15-point win.
Chris Gillett, the stand-in captain for B&K, said the mentality never changed from ball one to ball 240.
“Most of the conversation was to keep doing what we were,” said Gillett. “You can score quickly at Rectory Park, without taking too many risks.
“As the field drops, singles are easier to come by and by putting the bad balls to the boundary, you can score nine, ten, eleven an over comfortably.
Gillett was delighted with the record, but wants it gone sooner rather than later, “As a newly merged club (Bradninch CC and Kentisbeare CCs voted to merge in 2023), there’s plenty of opportunity to set records, and it’s great to claim a big one! It may stand for a while, but hopefully not too long.”
For both Gillett and Norman, this was the first time either batter had reached a century in 2025.
“Ot’s always nice to hit three figures,” said Gillett. “Rich had a couple of 90s last season so I was really pleased to see him get over the line on Saturday – and it was my first since before COVID.”
Gillett knew there were runs to be scored from both teams, as he said: “Having played at Rectory Park for 40 years on a great track with small boundaries, you know the opposition are never out of the game.
“If someone gets going, it is very difficult to stop them.”
Gillett was full of praise for the opposition, too.
“We had a couple of half-chances to get rid of Ben [Webb], but you just have to accept he batted superbly along with Owen [Enticott]. Let’s not forget they shared a 250-run partnership.
“It wasn’t a great day to be a bowler, or our number three!”
