C Division West review – week eight: Holroyd (pictured) hits 66 as Ipplepen tighten grip on top spot
IPPLEPEN’S winning run at the top of the C Division West continued with a seven-wicket cruise over Kingsbridge.
The Pens have won all seven games to start – they were rained-off against Abbotskerswell on day one – which has given them a 38-point lead over distant chasers Cornwood 2nd XI.
Kingsbridge found run-making a challenge against frugal bowling from Henry Alsop (2-25), Warrick Green (also 2-25) and latterly Jono Colegate (1-6).
Opener Freddie Ford made 34 and third man in James Fletcher was unbeaten on 41 when Kingsbridge were bowled out for 142.
Ipplepen lost wickets at 68, 82 and 142 on the way to victory. Marcus Gadie (24) was first to go, followed by Jamie Ingram and Toby Alsop (23). In at the end were Toby Holroyd on 66 not out – 11 four and a six – with Colegate (0no).
CORNWOOD 2nd XI put their defeat by Brixham behind them with a 69-run derby win over Plymouth 2nd XI.
It was a timely win for the Wood as it hoisted them ahead of Plymouth and Kingsbridge into second place behind unbeaten C West leaders Ipplepen. Plymouth drop down from third to fifth.
Cornwood’s middle-order batters delivered the goods on the way to a 45-over total of 231 for seven on the Mount Wise ground.
There was a brief stutter after second-wicket pair Ben Griffiths (35) and Charlie Farmer (20) were parted when three wickets fell in eight balls for just four runs scored.
Arron Richards (44) and Ayaan Chatterjee (21) repaired the damage with a stand of 71, then Matt Puttock smashed 64 not out from 28 balls in the rush for runs at the end.
James Hulbert (1-70) suffered most while Puttock totted-up seven sixes and three fours.
Plymouth bowlers Evan Burke (1-33), Maggie Haffenden (2-27) and Azir Rahamanzi (1-16) were spared the brutal treatment meted out by Puttock.
Plymouth had some rebuilding work to do after dipping to 20 for three in the third over.
Pete Evans (35) and Tom Hughes (16) took the first steps towards a fightback before Charlie Carwardine (3-26) split them up.
A succession of Plymouth batters got in, got into the teens and got out without making it past 20 as the reply meandered along.
By the time tail-ender Freddie Lown made 26 it was too late to make a difference. Charlie Martyn (2-25) and acting captain Alex Robinson (2-18) were among the Cornwood wicket takers as Plymouth were bowled out for 162.
SOMETHING’S got to give South Devon this Saturday when Hatherleigh 2nd XI are the visitors for a basement battle in the C Division West.
As neither side has won a game so far this season, one of them is going to come away happy!
South Devon’s latest setback was a 177-run pounding away to Paignton 2nd XI, who amassed 301 for four in 45 overs. It was the third time this season a side has topped 300 against South Devon.
Opener Sam Woodcock batted through for an unbeaten 137. He and Neil Hancock (70), who had two seasons with South Devon earlier in his career, put on 135 for the second wicket.
Getting Hancock out did not slow things down as Carl McFarlane thumped 51 more in just 37 balls.
Sean Andrews was the only one of South Devon’s nine-over bowlers to perform below four an over.
South Devon were 15 for four after an early going over from Jack Harman (4-21) and Jacob Lander (2-13).
Bits and pieces – 20 from Josh Vicary, 23 by Dan Yates – got the score up to 117 for seven. Harman’s second spell killed-off South Devon, who were all out for 124.
ABBOTSKERSWELL made it three wins on the reel in the C Division West – and 55 points out of 60 in the process – when they overturned Chudleigh by four wickets.
Abbots appeared favourites after Harrison Vickery (4-9), Jay Hussain (2-25) and Brayden Notman (2-18) skittled Chudleigh for 92. Yogi Yogesh with 14 posted the best of a sorry set of scores.
Abbots had the runs knocked off by the end of the 19th over, although not without a few issues. At 29 for four in reply, the result me was in the balance.
Brayden Notman, in at 26 for two, batted through for 36 not out to ensure the points stayed at Two Mile Oak.
HATHERLEIGH’S challenges in the C Division West basement were increased by a 139-run drubbing at the hands of Brixham.
Not only are Hatherleigh still winless eight games into the season, they are even further away from safety than they were.
Paignton, the team Hatherleigh have to overhaul to get out of the bottom two, are now 38 points distant after their win over South Devon, who are also without a win so far.
If Hatherleigh don’t start winning matches soon, a return to the D Division West is inevitable.
Hatherleigh are away to South Devon this Saturday in a game with ‘must win’ etched on it by both sides.
Three Brixham batters got to 50 or beyond in a team total of 230 for five. Openers Tim Robinson (25) and Dalton Sanders got the ball rolling with a stand of 42.
Tom Hopper was at the other end from skipper Sanders while adding 94 more for the second wicket.
Sanders’ 95-ball stay ended when he was dismissed for 58. He had taken Brixham from nought to 166 in 14 minutes more than two hours. There was still time left for Mo Shaikh to top-up the total with a 44-ball half-century.
Hatherleigh were all out in reply for 91 with Jack Probert’s 24 the best of a modest set of scores. Keeper and captain Jim Sibcy made 18.
There were early wickets for Fergus Rees (2-23), wickets in the middle for Gangul Ravina (2-29) and wickets spread around for Shaik (4-17).
