By OLLIE SMITH
TEIGNMOUTH & Shaldon 2nd XI booked their place in round two of the Tidball Insurance T20 Cup after hitting Buckfastleigh for 217 for seven.
Riley Jones was dismissed early without scoring, but all other batters used by T&S reached at least 20, the best being captain Andrew Epsley with 36no from 20. He shared the highest stand of 64 with Kai Wilkins (24). Youngester Bobby Murfin was the next top scorer at 33.
Bucks bowler Richard Saunter was compensated with three wickets for 35 runs, the only bowler to go at less than nines. The other four wickets were shared around David Walker (one for 45), Tom Scholes (one for 31), Sol Kelly (one for 37), and Vibin Jacob (one for 17).
Scholes put up the most resistance for Buckfastleigh, he was on 38 before Bobby Murfin (two for 17) took a return catch to remove him. Scholes’ opening partner, David Walker (16), was the only other batter to reach double figures in the chase.
Andrew Epsley back up his all-rounder claims with four Buckfastleigh wickets, and there were two more for Kai Wilkins (two for 19) as Bucks were bowled out for 114.
Epsley was pleased with seven contributions in the batting innings, “With seven players getting between 20 & 36, it was a real team effort with the bat”
“It was particularly pleasing to see 14-year-old Bobby Murfin and 16 year old Kai Wilkins in those seven players!”
“We always thought 217 was going to be plenty. Unfortunately, it meant a potential slight bit of complacency led to our standards slipping in the field and with the ball, particularly to start with.”
“Great to see the aforementioned youngsters, Kai and Bobby, pick up a couple of wickets each to go with their runs, which allowed me to clean up with 4 at the end.”
Ivybridge 3rd XI pulled off the club’s second ‘giant killing’ just 24 hours after the 1st XI turned over Bradninch & Kentisbeare.
Ivybridge were put into bat and limped to 111 for eight from their 20 overs, only Jimmy Haffenden (29) scored more than 20, but even that was striking at well below 100.
Haffenden then starred with the ball, taking four for 15. Olly Harris (three for 10) claimed three Stoke wickets, and there was two more for Joe Benson (two for seven) as the visitors were all out for 38.
Jonny Chilcott was left stranded on 99 not out at his Heathcoat 3rd XI side posted 184/4 against Clyst St George 2nd XI.
Chilcott was supported by a quick 31 from Fergus Anderson, and 24 more from Matt Shaw. Alex Fannon’s figures of two for 17 looked more than respectable, especially as three of his colleagues went at 11 or more an over.
In response, Harry Attwater (25) and Tiaan van der Walt (19) built a steady platform, but the remaining Clyst batters failed to capitalise. Heathcoat had developed a habit of dismissing the opposition batters for single figures. Daniel Harrison was the pick of the bowlers, taking four for 13. Clyst were eventually all out for 75.
William White’s 69 for Cheriton Fitzpaine wasn’t enough to set a defendable total as they lost out to Hatherleigh 3rd XI by four wickets.
White’s score was far and away the most significant contribution; the next best was Robert Milton’s 12. Zak Spears was chief tormentor for Hatherleigh; he claimed four Cheriton wickets, including White, for just 14 runs, as they were bowled out for 124.
Three Hatherleigh batters made 20s, the best being Jerry O’Donohue with 45no as he steered his side home for the loss of six wickets.
North Molton took their chase of Barnstaple & Pilton’s score of 139 to the last two balls.
Dave Cresswell top scored for B&P with 55, next best was Dominic Chugg’s 18. Toby Lochead (two for 26) and Adam Jerrett (two for 18) both took a pair of wickets.
North Molton skipper Lewis Hough set the tone at the top of the order with 54, but Louis Roberts stole the show with 56no from 39 balls.
Devon Medics & Cranbrook secured safe passage through to round two after making light work of their target of 130 against Topsham St James 2nd XI.
Curiously, both of DM&C’s opening batters retired out in the chase, so it was down to Bala Mallavarapu (12no) and Yashwanth Gopi (5no) to score the winning runs.
Elsewhere there were wins for Chagford against Alphington & Countesswear, and Exeter 3rd XI against Cullompton 3rd XI. Plymouth 3rd XI vs Cornwood 3rd XI was conceded by Cornwood.
