BABBACOMBE opener Josh Thompson (above) shows-off the man-of-the-match trophy after playing a star role in his side’s 23-run win over Ipplepen 2nd XI in the Brockman Cup final at Torquay.
Thompson top scored with 80 in Babbacombe’s total of 166 for two. Dad Marcus made 63 not out in an opening stand of 121.
Ipplepen were all out for 143 in the last of their 20 overs. Ross Kennard made 46.
It was Babbacombe’s first win in a Brockman Cup final since 1984, when they defeated Stoke Gabriel by seven wickets. Three members of last cup-winning side – Shaun Jarman, Michael Hunt and Martin Powell – were at the Recreation Ground to see the match.
Thompson junior – 10 fours, three sixes – attacked the bowling from the start and wasn’t afraid to hit over the top.
Four players have got into the 80s in Brockman Cup finals – Lustleigh pair Robin Millman and Chris Sims, Brixham’s Richard Ward and Abbotskerswell’s Charlie Smout-Cooper – but no one has made a century… yet
Thompson’s hopes of reaching three figures ended when he had a bash at Toby Alsop’s bowling and was caught on the boundary by Ross Kennard.
Thompson senior batted out the remaining six overs with Henry Stubbs (17) and Nathan Snape for company.
Keeping the runs down was a problem for Ipplepen – one over from Steve Bowden went for 16 – although Ash Harvey only conceded a single on one over at the Thompsons when they were in full cry.
No one has chased more than 142 to win on finals night at Torquay Recreation Ground – that was Stoke Gabriel in 2006 – but when Ipplepen were 21 for none after two overs it looked possible.
Forty-five for two after six overs, with George Tapley just out for 25 and Kennard (46) going along nicely, suggested the chase was very much alive.
The game swung Babbacombe’s way in the time it took Ipplepen to slip to 50 for five as Dave Stubbs (3-23) and Ben Passmore got to work.
Kennard and veteran Jeff Heath (26) kept Ipplepen’s faint hopes alive by putting on 58 for the sixth wicket.
Heath’s demise to Dom Passmore (1-25) left 59 to get from the last five overs, which was too many with too few wickets left.
Jack Alcock took two wickets in two balls on the way to bowling out Ipplepen with one ball left in the match.
