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Posted:
Sunday 5th July 2009 Updated:
Monday 6th
Source: Stephen Birley
Acton stars with ball then bat -
Wakeley holds on to a fivefer as 3rd win arrives/2nds in
thrilling tie in Plymouth
Mixed fortunes for the two Bradninch sides on match day ten of
the eighteen week Francis Clark Devon Cricket League campaign.
The 1st XI claimed a crucial victory whilst the 2nd XI were so
close to sealing another victory only for the �tail-end
Charlie's� of hosts Plymouth to seal a thrilling tie in their A
Division meeting.
First to the Kensham Park Premier Division meeting with Bovey
Tracey who of course made the step up out of the A Division with
Joel Murphy�s men at the end of last season.
With Paul Nott not recovering in time from injury there was a
first appearance given to Jack Porter who in 2002 played in the
same Devon County Under-16 side as Tim Piper.
The midweek rains (how heavy were they at time by the way?) had
left the first match day of the second half of the season one of
those where winning the toss was all consuming.
Bovey who had arrived in Mid Devon yet to taste defeat in nine
previous top-flight outings batted first and shortly after play
began the heavens opened. The covers were hurriedly unwrapped
and applied and after a break, play resumed.
The wickets began to tumble at regular intervals with the
visitors losing their first with the Kensham Park digital score
board showing 17-1. It quickly became 21-2 and then 34-3. Next
to fall saw the board showing 56-4 and half the visitors were
back in the pavilion to watch the Wimbledon Ladies� Final with
just 60 on the board. The 6th wicket fell without further
addition to the board. The 7th fell at 70 before the tail wagged
to see 87-8 slip to 108-9 to a conclusion of 121 all out in 35.1
overs.
A feature of the home pre-tea performance was the catching with
EVERY single wicket falling to a catch � no fewer than FIVE of
them sticking in the gloves of wicket keeper Billy Wakeley. Once
again Ross Acton made the most of the conditions. Earlier in the
campaign in similar conditions, the left-arm seamer had been
almost unplayable when bagging a seven-wicket haul to set up a
win over Sandford. This time he was not quite so prolific but
helped by the skipper (Joel Murphy), Tim Piper and the glovesman
(twice), he finished with figures of 4-40 from 11.1 splendid
overs.
Eliot Acton aided by a brace of Wakeley catches finished with
2-21 from four overs. Skipper Joel Murphy also bagged a brace,
his wickets being held by Dan Hardy and Gary Newall, to return
figures of 2-18 in nine. Gary Chappell also picked up a wicket.
He had Chris Bradley caught behind for 2 and debut player Jack
Porter marked his first start in the Bradninch colours with 1-20
in four, his wicket courtesy of a Dan Hardy catch.
So not the biggest of totals to chase down BUT very difficult
batting conditions that offered plenty to the bowlers.
Bradninch got the perfect start thanks to Gary Newall and Dan
Hardy, the latter going on to play a match-winning innings with
a top score of 31. Newall fell first for a solid 11 and 41-1
became 48-2 as Hardy joined his opening partner back in the
hutch. Piper and Chappell then carried the score to the 70s
before both went for 13 and that left the reply on 89-5. There
was another wobble as the 6th wicket fell on 93 but Ross Acton
ensured the side were to taste victory for only the 3rd time in
their short top-flight life on 123-6 after 41 overs.
The other not out batsmen at the close was Joe Webb with 8
whilst the other batsmen to lose their wickets were Richard
Foan, surprisingly batting down at 5, he was caught for 4 and
debut player Horton who was also out for 4, his departure the
result of being trapped lbw.
So victory and a priceless haul of points for the side that now
go into Saturday�s game at Plymouth in great spirits. The
importance of the trip down the A38 Expressway cannot be
understated. The hosts will begin the day in one of the two
relegation berths, sitting SEVEN points and two places worse off
than Murphy�s men.
Meanwhile the 2nd XI were engaged in a thrilling finish at that
very Plymouth ground where the 1st XI will do battle next week.
Phil Chappell�s side batted first and banked a maximum haul of
batting points before closing on a healthy 214-8. Nat Davey was
the side�s top scorer with a fine 77 and the best supporting
role came from Club Chairman Derrick Foan with 33. The home side
set about the run chase in a positive fashion and this made for
what was to be a thrilling conclusion with the last pair at the
wicket and the scores level at stumps.
Nick Dean was the most successful of the Bradninch attack with
3-39 whilst Chris Acton bagged himself a brace as the home side
closed on 214-9.
So Chappell�s men sit a commendable 4th in the A Division, still
with a sniff of achieving a top two finish, although with
current 2nd placed side Cornwood 45 points ahead, there is
precious little room for error over the remaining eight games of
the campaign.
The fact that week in and week out, the side are proving a match
for every side in the Division, speaks volumes for the ability
and drive in the side.
Next up is a visit to Kensham Park from hapless Axminster who
will arrive sitting 2nd bottom with just one win to their name
all season.
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