Smout-Cooper chisels out a ton as Torquay & Kingskerswell warm-up for top-of-table clash

TORQUAY & Kingskerswell look in good shape for this Saturday’s top-of-the-table showdown with North Devon after dispatching Bovey Tracey by 77 runs.

The Rec Grounders are only three points behind North Devon and now 44 ahead of Budleigh Salterton, who slipped up against North Devon.

Ed Smout-Cooper, whose batting has come to life following his close-season switch from Abbotskerswell to the Recreation Ground, played the anchorman role with 102 towards T&K’s all-out total of 257.

Opener Smout-Cooper was part of stands that took the running total to 217 for seven. Best of the stands were those of 58 with Harry Passenger (26) and 46 with Chris Kelmere (23).

Hem Chetri’s four-wicket return for Bovey included Passenger and Kelmere. Smout-Cooper finally perished at the spinning fingers of Ollie Clifford-Bourne (2-45). Gethin Williams two spells yielded three for 33.

Bovey lost opener Jake Pascoe in their first over, Reuben Stanley soon after and professional Chetri getting as far as 35.

Harry Mount dug in for 77 and with back-up from Albie Bradley (22) then Seb Ansley (32), Bovey got to 158 for five. A hundred to win and 18 overs to get them in was steep but not impossible as long as Mount stuck around.

Once wickets started to tumble it all went wrong in a hurry for Bovey. Five fell for 22 runs scored as 158 for five became 180 all out.

Chris Kelmere (3-23) and Ritesh Dabhade (3-36) dealt with the house-to-house clearance at the end.

Winning captain Passenger had plenty to feel pleased about, but wasn’t blind to areas for improvement either.

“It is always good to get 20 points and to narrow the gap above and extend the one below,” said Passenger.

“However we all agreed we can be more clinical, specifically in the batting half, and start putting together bigger partnerships and bigger scores.”

Opposite number Ansley didn’t have much trouble pinpointing where it went wrong.

“Harry Mount batted really well, taking the attack to the bowlers early doors and building his innings through the middle, but didn't have much support from the rest of us,” said Ansley. 

“I think we lost the game through not batting our overs – still had 13 to go – which has been a recurring theme this year.”

Bovey are now hovering above the drop spots heading into the final third of the season.

Said Ansley: “We could've been up to fourth with a win but back in the trouble now, which makes Kilmington a massive game this Saturday.”