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Posted:
Sunday 9th August 2009
Source: Stephen Birley
Bradninch's first ever trip to the County Ground in Exeter for a
Francis Clark League Premier Division match ended in a
disappointment as the home side dished up a seven wicket win and
Joel Murphy's men were left to return to Kensham Park with just
a three point haul.
On the day the better side won the contest although an honest
Gary Newall conceded that it was not the best of displays for
Bradninch with the bat:
"We did not bat very well. The wicket played okay given the
amount of rain that fell earlier in the week and we were stuck
in after losing to toss, so the gods were against us in that
respect. That said we really did not bat well and once again we
failed to post the sort of respectable start that is required on
a consistent basis at this level. But, we are still very much in
the mix and have so much to play for, starting with the game on
Saturday against a Budleigh side who will no doubt need the bulk
of the points from the contest juts as much as we do."
After being put in, Gary Newall (11) and Tim Piper (10), opened
the innings, but both were back in the hutch with 26 on the
board. Richard Foan then scored what proved to be the innings'
top individual score of 21 before he was out.
Gary Chappell - on duty in the Duchy for Devon the following day
- scored 11 and Ross Acton hit 16 but Joe Webb (9), Jack Horton
(8) and skipper Joel Murphy (8), were each removed without
reaching double figures as 47-3 slipped to 93-7.
The tail wagged a little as Eliot Acton put bat to ball for his
14 run contribution leaving the other scores to be, Billy
Wakeley (5) and last man, Paul Nott the unbeaten batsman without
a run to his name. Interestingly, all but three of the wickets
to fall were to catches, the exceptions being the wickets of
Newall, Webb and Wakeley, who were all bowled.
The innings was done and dusted in 47.4 overs for a total of
128.
An early breakthrough in the post-tea session was required and
it duly arrived thanks to a smart caught and bowled from Eliot
Acton but then Aaron Williams hit 46 before being trapped leg
before, one of two wickets taken by Gary Chappell, and then
hosts got home inside 31 overs to win by seven wickets.
So three to play and the current gap of a dozen points between
Murphy's men and 2nd bottom Torquay, still suggests that just
the one win from meetings with Budleigh, North Devon and
champions elect Sidmouth, will suffice to ensure the club's
first ever stay in the top-flight can be considered a success.
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