Babbacombe and Ipplepen face-off again in Brockman Cup final | Can Pens wrestle trophy back ?
WILL history repeat itself in this year’s Brockman Cup final at Torquay Recreation Ground (Friday, 6pm) when Babbacombe and Ipplepen 2nd XI meet for the second year running?
Wind the clock back exactly 12 months and it was Babbacombe who came out on top in the annual showcase match for clubs in DCL D Division West and below.
The Thompsons – dad Marcus (63no) and lad Josh (80) – were the key men for Babbacombe as they amassed 166 for two in the 20-over showdown.
Ipplepen, last winners of the cup in 2023, gave it a go with George Tapley (25), Ross Kennard (46) and evergreen Jeff Heath (26) all getting runs.
The difference on the night was down to Babbacombe’s bowling, in particular Dave Stubbs’ three wickets for 23 runs.
Twelve months on Babbacombe have lost Thompson junior to Torquay & Kingskerswell and Stubbs has moved away from the area. Big losses that are bound to be felt.
Ipplepen are going to be without the influential Kennard, whose batting and bowling are vital ingredients in the side. Still going strong though is all-rounder Steve Bowden, whose hat-trick against Bovey Tracey swung the final Ipplepen’s way.
Babbacombe’s route to the final has been via wins over Paignton 3rd XI, Teignmouth & Shaldon then Stokeinteignhead in the last four. They benefited from a three-wicket show from opening bowler Andy Lockyer in the win over Stoke, but won’t have him in the final as he is on holiday.
Ipplepen cruised past Abbotskerswell in round one, hammered South Devon in round two and disposed of Bovey Tracey at the semi-final stage.
Start time at the Recreation Ground is 6pm. Admission is free.
Babbacombe: M Thompson, R Redding, S Loram, A Lightowlers. N Snape, H Stubbs. D Western. P Sutherland, J Alcock, D Passmore, B Passmore.
Ipplepen: T Holroyd, H Denman, C Needham, J Heath, N Sutton, W Green, A Harvey, D Durman, S Bowden, J Edworthy, B Aldridge.
Umpires: M Powell, S P Day.
Man-of-the-match adjudicator: Tim Western.
