|
Posted:
Sunday 17th May 2009
Source: Stephen Birley
Ross Acton was the star of the show on the day that he and
another of the 1st XI youngsters etched their name into
Bradninch Cricket Club Devon League Premier Division history.
On a day when the all important moment of the match was the
correct call of the pre match coin toss, Bradninch skipper Joel
Murphy called correctly and wasted no time in asking visitors
Sandford to bat first.
Paul Nott quickly whipped out a brace of batsmen including the
visitors’ dangerous South African who had dominated the two
sides’ earlier meeting in the North Devon League the previous
month.
With Nott bowling a good line and length on a wicket that was
giving plenty of help to the bowlers, Ross Acton began to weave
his left arm magic, and what a show he put on as he raced
through the visitors batting spine finishing with mouth-watering
figures of 7-33 from 14.5 overs.
Skipper Joel Murphy sent down three overs after coming on as
first change behind Nott and the Sandford innings was all done
and dusted in just 28.5 overs at 64. Only two visitors got
double figures, the highest individual offering of the match
came from Sandford opener Adrian Small with 36 whilst Mark
Prideaux managed to stick around long enough for 12.
There were six catches held by the Bradninch wide who showed a
much better performance throughout the contest in both ground
fielding and catching as Billy Wakeley (2), Richard Foan, Tim
Piper, Eliot Acton and Joe Webb, all holding catches.
If the small crowd who braved the gale force (and cold) wind to
watch thought that it would be a stroll to victory they were
quickly forced to rethink as the home side found batting just as
difficult.
Gary Newall was first to go, caught for 5 but then Richard Foan
and Tom Piper steadied the ship easing the total to 27 before
Foan departed for 12 – his to be one of just FOUR scores of
double-figures between the 21 players who got to hold a bat on
the day.
Piper followed soon after for 8, Chappell was in and out for 4
and then bowling hero Ross Acton was clean-bowled by the
visitors’ South African – one of five wickets for the springbok.
With half the side back in the pavilion and the score board
showing 38 the game was in the balance. Eliot Acton came in to
join skipper Joel Murphy and he was next to lose his wicket, but
his stay at the wicket, although seeing him add just a single,
allowed the skipper at the opposite end to build a match-winning
innings. Wakeley didn’t stick around for too long but with
Murphy looking more comfortable than any batsmen at the crease
on the day; still there a home victory was on the cards.
Murphy was then caught off the South African with the score on
63 and young Joe Webb, with Paul Nott at the other end, edged
the ball wide of the slips and the subsequent runs won a
thrilling contest for the home side.
So Ross Acton becomes the first ever Bradninch bowler to get a
seven-wicket top-flight haul. Joe Webb takes the glory by
becoming the first Bradninch player to score what proved to be
the match-winning runs in a top-flight game and Joel Murphy
became the first skipper to lead Bradninch to a Premier victory.
What a glorious, if somewhat nail-biting occasion – next up a
trip to 3rd placed Torquay on Saturday.
| 
