Record win for St Marychurch Old Boys | Multiple club records broken in win over Babbacombe 3rd XI | Maiden tons for Mabbutt junior and captain Brown
By OLLIE SMITH
ST Marychurch Old Boys used ‘home comforts’ to break several club records in their 209-run victory over Babbacombe 3rd XI.
SMOB were the away team on Saturday, but due to the nature of 3rd XI cricket, they groundshare with opponents Babbacombe.
Babbacombe invited their ‘visitors’ to bat first at Cockington but were soon put under pressure by the SMOB opening batters Rob Jack (36) and Chris Mabbutt (60), who put on a stand worth 105 before Jack was caught and bowled by Toby Ward (1-32).
Mabbutt’s 60 included 52 runs in boundaries before he was dismissed by Fred Sutherland. The third SMOB wicket fell at 128-3, bringing Harry Mabbutt to the crease, joining captain Dave Brown who was on 12 not out.
The pair got to work putting on a formidable total, dispatching the Babbacombe bowling for boundary after boundary. Mabbutt Junior raced to a 50 in fewer than 30 balls, whilst Brown was playing the more controlled innings. 
The St Marychurch Old Boys’ fourth-wicket partnership record was broken by the time Dave Brown was out; he was caught by opposing number Will Backholer off the bowling of Jacob Machin for 111. His stand with Harry Mabbutt was worth 221, leaving the side at 349-4 with three balls to go.
Mabbutt Junior was left unbeaten at the end of the innings, his 112 not out included 16 fours and six sixes. The final SMOB total was another broken club record, their total of 350/4 set Babbacombe a mammoth total to win. No home bowler took more than one wicket.
St Marychurch opening bowler Roy Prentice set the tone for the innings, his eight overs saw only 18 runs scored from them. He took three Babbacombe wickets in that spell.
Babbacombe captain Backholer provided his team with a strong start until he was caught off the bowling of Dave Lee (3-11).
Backholer’s wicket was the first of three in a row, as Lee claimed a hat-trick, Daniel Machin and Finlay Cull were the other two victims.
Jamie Clifford (2-12) was the man to take the final wicket, as Babbacombe were dismissed for 141.
St Marychurch captain Dave Brown believed it was about time he and Harry Mabbutt reached three figures.
“Harry came in at five and went off like a rocket while I kept it steady at the other end,” said Brown.
“Gradually I caught up with him and we both got to our hundreds at around the same time.
“We’ve both threatened a big innings this season, so it was great to do it together.”
Brown believed the foundation his opening batters built together set his side up to kick on.
“Our openers got us off to a strong start, so we were keen not to let that go to waste,” he said.
“Favourable batting conditions meant as long as you could avoid the occasionally violent nature of the Cockington strip, then balls could be readily dispatched to the boundary across the lightning outfield.
“We tried to play each ball on its merits, and eventually amassed a partnership of 221 in what seemed like no time.”
Roy Prentice (3-18) and Dave Lee were Babbacombe’s chief tormenters with the ball, and Brown was quick to praise them.
“Roy has been superb these last two weeks, his line and length have been spot on. He’s a bowler who doesn’t always get a huge amount of luck, so it’s great to see him get some reward.
“Dave Lee was also excellent. He found his rhythm and was unplayable, as proven by his hat-trick!
“I’d also like to express our thanks to Babbacombe. I know they were struggling to get a team out, and they went through great lengths to get the game on.
“On an afternoon when it may have been easy to moan and lose interest, they [Babbacombe] played with a great attitude and were an absolute credit to the club.”
