Bovey Tracey fall agonisingly short in T20 final

There was very nearly a much-needed silver lining to Bovey Tracey’s wretched league campaign on Sunday. Congratulations, however, go to Exmouth for lifting the Devon T20 Cup on finals day at Cornwood, beating Bovey in the final by 58 runs.

Exmouth overcame Sidmouth by 8 wickets, as Bovey were beating Plymouth by 65 runs in the morning’s semi-finals. The afternoon’s face-off saw Exmouth post 155-9 from their 20 overs, Will Christophers (3-18) the pick of the bowlers. Bovey never really got going and were soon up against it, folding to 97 all out. Disappointment, but surely a morale boost for Premier Division survival.

After week eleven of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League, Bradninch and Kentisbeare still lead the Premier Division, by nine points from Sandford, after both teams won again. Up to third are Exmouth following a 38-run win over Paignton at The Maer.

Paignton did the hard work, bowling Exmouth out for 169, with wickets shared amongst the bowlers, but again struggled to put innings and partnerships of note together and were dismissed for 131 in reply, from 38.2 overs.

Charlie Ward’s 54 was the only notable score in another otherwise disappointing batting performance that keeps Paignton in 8th place.

Bovey Tracey at last had something to smile about, although their five-wicket win at basement club Plympton may only decide which of the two finishes bottom come the end of August. Seb Ansley returned figures of 3-39 as Plympton accrued 200-8 from their 50 overs.

Bovey finally clicked with the bat, helped by 83 from Musa Twala, and reached their target with six overs to spare for only their second league win of 2024.

Bovey are now 19 points behind Paignton and safety. The two meet on the final day of the season at Bovey in a clash that already has “must win” written all over it.

Bridestowe’s win over Kilmington sees the gap to A Division leaders North Devon reduced to three points at the top.

Another casualty of the downpours was Teignmouth and Shaldon, with only three overs possible at Bovey Tracey 2nds. No more play with Teigns on 5 for 2.

The top two teams in the Blights Motors North Devon League clashed at Instow, as North Devon entertained Bideford, and it was Bideford that ran out victors by give wickets to go top of the pile.

North Devon batted first and reached a 40-over score of 258 for 6. Roshan Lakmal got the innings off to a brisk start with 63 and James Tyson contributed a robust 97 not out. Elliot Curry, and Ewan Wiliams both took a couple for Bideford.

North Devon employed eight bowlers to restrain the Bideford chase, and it seemed a successful tactic, until Ewan Williams came to the crease. He hit 96 not out off 50 balls to see his side home with nine balls to spare. Earlier, James Ford (37) and James Greenleaf (43) contributed to the cause. Simon Wright took a couple for North Devon.

Heathcoat travelled to Belstone and ran out comfortable eight-wicket winners. Belstone got off to a good start, as Ryan Dennis (73) and James Ewan led the Foxes to 118 for 1. Thereafter, Heathcoat took the last nine wickets for 45 runs for an all-out total of 163, thanks to Christopher Salter 4 for 38, and Troy Dos Santos 3 for 10. Heathcoat knocked off the runs with ease, for the loss of two wickets. Ace reporter Harry Everett led from the front with 41, Noah Musikanth 60 not out, and Richard Pugsley 52 not out, finished off the job with 13 overs to spare.

Newton Tracey conceded their game at Westleigh.

In Division 2, Exford travelled to Braunton and won a tight game by six runs. Exford batted first and scored 187 for 8. There were runs through the card for the Moorlanders, although none bettered the 36 extras Braunton conceded.

Andrew Norman led the Braunton chase with 51, but the home side were reduced to 137 for 9, thanks in the main to Renjeesh Krishnan taking 4 for 28. Last wicket pair Martin Biddle 18 and James Hare 32 not out took the home side to the brink of an unlikely victory, but their hopes were dashed when Biddle was bowled by Ryan Jones.

Ten-man Barnstaple & Pilton took the short trip to Newton Tracey and lost by seven wickets. B&P batted first and racked up an all-out total of 220. Father and son James Tapp 51 and Finn 35 got the innings off to a good start, Amandip Panesar top scored with 52. Connor Robson took a couple for Newton, while three run outs helped the cause.

An unbeaten 163 partnership between Kieran Soper (101 no) and Alexander Cox (75 no) saw the home side to victory with ease. B&P Skipper Clive Ball did his best, taking 1 for 10 off his eight overs but B&P clearly missed mystery spinner Tony Gilbert.