Abbots glad to avoid slipping up in Brockman Cup

HOLDERS Abbotskerswell comfortably cleared the first hurdle in this season’s Brockman Cup by handing out a four-wicket won over Stokeinteignhead.

Stoke were all out for 75 well before the end of their 20 overs, no one making more than opener Chris Prestt (22).

Adam Latham (3-25) and spinner Charlie-Smout Cooper (3-15) did most of the damage with the ball.

Chasing low totals is not always easy – especially on a drizzly evening in early May.

After Latham opened up with a forceful 20, and Sean Jarman (14) then Tom Heath (12) chipped in, Abbots ran into trouble against Mike Lang (2-9) and Jamie Clinkett (2-22).

Bits and pieces got Abbots over the line in the 11th over and into a second-round tie with Stoke Gabriel.

Chelston & Kingskerswell carried too much firepower for Shaldon, who bowed out for seven wickets at Hazeldown Oval.

Will Greenwood top scored for Shaldon in their total of 103 for six. Phil Stoneman made 34, which does not leave a lot from the rest.

Josh Hurrell  (3-18) and  Jake Keany (2-3) were the leading wicket-takers.

Chelston & Kingskerswell only needed 13.3 overs to knock off the runs.

Opener Keany batted through for 24 not out and was supported along the way by Mark Faulkner (25) and skipper Eric Gregerson (21no).

It’s Paignton 3rd XI next for Chelston & Kingskerswell in round two.

Ryan Sheperd slammed 53 to put Stoke Gabriel on course for a six-wicket win over Torquay 2nd XI.

Matt McCann (20), Dylan Karsens (27) and skipper Ben Passenger (22) all weighed in as Torquay made a respectable 136 for eight.

Rob Courtice (3-11) topped Stoke’s bowling stats, aided and abetted by Ant Kanuar and Kai Horsborough with two wickets each.

Sheperd and Jim Attwood (29) made a big dent in the total as Torquay’s young attack found it hard to defend what they had in the book.

Passenger (2-20) and McCann (1-21) made Stoke work at one end.