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Posted:
Sunday 27th June 2010
Source: Stephen Birley
Bradninch skipper
Ross Acton led from the front as he took his side to arguably
their best ever result since joining the elite of Devon County
League cricket at the start of last season when they beat North
Devon in a pulsating contest at Kensham Park.
Acton hit a second top score of 61 then claimed three wickets
and a pair of run outs to cap a fine all round show. Mind you
this was again not a one man show as every other player in the
team made a worthwhile contribution to the cause.
Bradninch took on and beat the side at the top of the table
at the start of play by four runs.
After being put in on a track that looked a 250 minimum
total, the home batsmen did not disappoint. Led by the in-form
Tim Piper (65) and skipper Ross Acton (61) the hosts closed on
251-8.
There were runs all down the order with the only two to miss
out and register single figures being Gary Chappell (3) and Joe
Webb (6). The remainder of the runs had been scored by Richardt
Saaiman (19), Haydn Murray (28), Dan Hardy (11), Eliot Acton
(18no), Matt Jarrett (12) and Nick Dean (11no).
The Instow men’s reply was seriously hamstrung with a
clinical combination of Actons. Eliot Acton claimed one and
skipper Ross picked up two as the visitors found themselves
18-3. As befits a table topping side North Devon rallied and it
was not until 137 runs were on the board that skipper Ross
struck again to conclude his effort with the ball, finishing
with figures of 3-89.
Runs continued to be scored, and wickets continued to fall
with the final one taken by Gary Chappell (1-46), with just one
delivery of the match remaining with the visitors' total on 247
leaving Bradninch winners by four runs.
The other home wicket takers were Haydn Murray (2-44) and
Eliot Acton (1-16). There were also three run outs effected with
the skipper leading by example, responsible for a brace,
including a direct hit, and Haydn Murray was the other fielder
to snare a run out. A delighted Ross Acton said:
“That was a top result for us, comfortably
our best to date in the top flight. We knew when asked to bat
that 250 was a must get, and we got it. Then we bowled well and
for me, the key was the fielding, three run-outs towards the
close was match winning factor. It’s an exceptional result.”
Next up is Saturday’s trip to a Braunton side who won at
Kensham Park on the opening day.
Acton says of the trip up the North Devon Link Road:
“We owe them one, we threw away an opening
day win and revenge is most certainly the buzz word for
Saturday’s game.”
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