Bovey get some bowling practice in after early defeat by University | Bradley (pictured) spares Bovey blushes

Chris Bradley – former Devon captain spared Bovey

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

BOVEY Tracey slipped to a six-wicket defeat against University of Exeter in their first pre-season warm-up game.

Bovey’s batting was a tale of woe from the start as wickets fell regularly to Oliver Thilo (3-16), James Boyle (3-20) and Dan Ward (2-14).

At 57 for nine Bovey were on the rack, but a last-wicket stand of 55 between Freddie Ford and tail-ender Chris Bradley (38) got the total up to 114 all out.

Seb Ansley, who played for Stoke Gabriel last season, made a guest appearance for Bovey. He was one of Thilo’s victims for four.

The students raced to victory inside 20 overs with Billy Buckingham (29), Josh Drage (47) and Harry Fisher (48) all making runs.

Rather than finish the game early it was agreed between Bovey captain Lewis Hammett and opposite number Charlie Fernandes that the game would continue.

Ashley Causey - bowled wellThe students lower order got in some batting practice and the Bovey bowlers were able to get some overs under their belts.

Ashley Causey (3-34) used the extra time productively to pick up three wickets, including the University’s top scorer Harry Thistlewayte for 51.

There were two wickets for ex-Devon captain Chris Bradley and two on his debut for Elliott Adams, who is a close-season capture from Abbotskerswell.

Bovey’s 1stXI are away to Tavistock this Saturday. The second team host Torquay 1stXI.

ABBOTSKERSWELL were outgunned at Exeter, where they went down by 57 runs to the Premier Division side.

There were half centuries for Sam Read and Ben Abraham – and an impressive 67 for Felix Jones – in Exeter’s 234 for five. Wickets were at a premium, although Sam Carpenter picked up a couple.

Despite a dogged knock of 65 from Alex Birt, Abbots’ reply ran out of steam at 177 for seven. Jay Hassain made 31 not out and 2ndXI captain Charlie Hill chipped in with 21.

There were two wickets each for Exeter spinners Ed Middleton (2-39) and Dominic Tuohey (2-15).

Abbots are due to visit Brixham this Saturday.

ASHBURTON gave Exeter Sunday XI a scare before slipping to a two-run defeat on the County Ground.

Exeter’s top three – Dan Dixon, Lucas Soeller and Fin Hill all made half-centuries then retired as the city side got to 209 for six in 40 overs.

George Yabsley, who has recently returned to Ashburton from Bovey Tracey, was the only one of eight bowlers used to take more than one wicket.

Ashburton were behind the clock at 75 for four with Yabsley just out for 33. Will Coon (27) and Dan Coles (40) made up for lost time, but losing three wickets for seven runs scored sliding to 139 for seven undid some of the good work.

In a breathless finish Coon played some shots in a stand of 50 with Tom Higgs that brought the game to life.

Nineteen to win off the last over, bowled by young off-spinner Fred Cockram, proved just a few too many, despite the first ball sailing away for six, and it finished with Higgs 27 not out off 22 balls in Abbots’ total of 207 for eight.