Kenn swept aside as Shaldon close in on promotion

KENN were no match for D West leaders Shaldon Optimists, who wrapped up a 10-wicket win in a hurry.

Mid-table Kenn were skittled out for 105 in the 38th over – skipper James Mason rescuing them from the depths of 59 for eight with an unbeaten 36.

Ben Challoner made 17, Pete Chislett had 10 on a stand of 41 for the ninth wicket with Mason and no one else made more than eight.

Ryan Bougourd led the wicket-taking effort for Shaldon with five for 18 in nine overs.

Mark Couch (2-13) tidied up the loose ends.

The runs were knocked-off in 12.1 overs by Shaldon openers Karl Blackburn (67no) and George Thomas (33).

Blackburn flogged 10 fours and two sixes during a 36-ball stay, winning the game by smashing Pat Boot for six.

Shaldon aren’t promoted yet, but a win this Saturday over Stokeinteignhead will do it.

Depending on bonus points dropped or gained, Shaldon could be confirmed as champions if Ashburton miss out on a maximum against Exwick.

NEWTON St Cyres made the long trip to Buckland Monachorum looking for a win but were denied by the weather.

Buckland have lost every game they have played this season so St Cyres had every reason to feel confident on arrival.

They may have been a little less chipper after being bowled out for 118 – Chris Collyer (35) and Shenan Grossbery (27) making the only scores of note.

Max Timmins took three St Cyres wickets for 14 runs and there were two each for Adam Talbott and Gary Brooks.

Buckland were 25 without loss in the eighth over when rain stopped play.

St Cyres face a tough appointment with promotion hopefuls Yelverton this Saturday.

EXWICK defeated Topsham St James by three wickets in the derby clash at Bonfire Field.

St James were all out for 106 in the 30th over – and were lucky to get as many as that.

They were 53 for five when Charlie Penn went in to bat and his 40 off 34 balls was the only score higher than 13 in the innings.

Super-veteran Rehann Caryl took four for 32 and there were two wickets each for Lewis Cox, Kris Calderhead and Nick Rose.

Exwick lost seven wickets making 107 to win –Penn (3-45) and Ed Kirby (2-10) doing the damage.

Greg Newcombe saw it through for Exwick, making 50 not out off 36 balls with 40 in boundaries.

WILL Coon took a career-best haul of eight wickets for 13 runs to help speed Ashburton to a 10-wicket win at South Brent.

South Brent were all out for just 41 in the 18th over – opener Scott Malpass making 13.

No one else made more than eight and batsmen five to 11 didn’t score a run between them.

Coon went for 10 in his first over, was three for 13 after three and took five more wickets without conceding a run.

The odd ones out were taken by Dom Durman and Ashley Harvey.

With the weather deteriorating all the time, Ashes didn’t hang around knocking off the runs.

It was all done in exactly four overs – Harvey making 25 not out and Lloyd White nine.

Vice-captain White praised South Brent for playing the game at all.

“South Brent were keen as mustard to get the game on in absolutely miserable conditions,” said White.

“As soon as we came off after the win, it smashed it down, so we were extremely fortunate.”

Ashburton are 17 points behind leaders Shaldon and four clear of third-placed Yelverton with two games to go.

Ashes entertain Exwick this Saturday.

YELVERTON stay hard on the heels of Ashburton in the D West promotion race after they won by 111 runs at Stokeinteignhead.

Yelverton amassed 248 for nine, pushed along by some explosive batting from Patrick Hobbs – he had four sixes and two fours in his 44 - Richard Townsend (38), captain Richard West (34) and Geoff Brain (46).

With the help of Peter Lojszczyk (28) and Ben Pearson (22no) Yelverton managed to negotiate tricky conditions and gain full batting points.

Alan Bauer (3-63), Hugo Longrigg (2-34) and Roger Putman (2-31) were the wicket takers.

Yelverton’s total would have been a lot less if significant catches were not put down.

Stokeinteignhead were all out for 137 all out West (3-9 off 9) and Keylock (2-19).

The rest of the wickets were shared with the exception of a brilliant run out by Henry Webster.

The only score of note from Stokeinteignhead was 43 from Mike Lang, who went in at 28 for two and was eighth out on 108

Yelverton are third in the table with two games to go, four points behind Ashburton with Newton St Cyres to play on Saturday.